By Bev Mortimer
Heilie Uys from Cape St Francis has once again returned with the gold – last month she won two gold medals in the 2011 World Transplant Games (WTG) in Sweden.
She won gold in golf and ball throw, silver in javelin and discus and bronze in shot put in her fourth participation at the WTG. She first participated in Canada in 2005.
The 18th WTG in Gothenburg, Sweden, ran from 7-23 June and South Africa was represented by 47 athletes who returned with 48 medals. All the athletes, who have had organ and bone marrow transplants, refer to themselves as the ‘Spare parts team’.
In 2005 Heilie won 2 gold medals in her age group for golf and shot put while in 2007 in Bangkok she increased her medal count to 2 gold and one silver medal. In 2009 in the WTG in Australia she won 4 gold medals.
Heilie, who had a kidney transplant in 2004, is also a dialysis and transplant nurse. She encourages patients to become active and participate in sport as part of the disease rehabilitation process..
Heilie and husband Willie run the South African Transplant Sports Association (SATSA) as secretary and chairman respectively plus they did all the team arrangements for National and WTG. Three children, aged 9-11 years were also part of the Team and there were 43 supporters.
Willie Uys, who has been the WTG Federation Councillor for the past four years, was re-elected again. He not only represents South Africa but also the rest of Africa – and is the only person from this continent on the panel.
Oylmpic bid:
Willie and Heilie are the driving forces behind the winning of the bid to host the 19th World Transplant Games in 2013 in Durban. The World Transplant Federation Games flag was officially handed over to Willie, chairman of the local organising committee of the WTG 2013 in Durban.
In his speech he thanked the Federation for its trust in South Africa to host a successful 2013 Games, plus he thanked SASCOC and the Department of Sport & Recreation for their support. He also thanked the South African transplantees and supporters who will ensure the 2013 Games is an outstanding success.
Willie and Heilie say the Lord put them on this road, that He will guide them and that the outcome will be to His glory.
Super Sport 6 & 7 will be broadcasting a 30 minute programme on the 2011 WTG in Sweden from 1-12 August at various time during the day.
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