Golden girl Kathryn

Golden girl Kathryn

14 June 2017

A BALLYGOWAN swimmer is set to make a big splash at the World Transplant Games at the end of the month.

Kathryn Glover, a teacher at Cedar Integrated Primary School in Crossgar, is heading for Malaga in Spain with 1,000 other transplant athletes from 60 countries across the globe and she intends returning with gold.

Thirty-five year-old Kathryn, a kidney recipient in 2009, attended the World Tansport Games in Argentina two years ago and won three gold and two silver in the pool — and she intends replicating that in Malaga.

Kathryn was struck down with kidney disease in 2005 and her organs went from 70 per cent functionality to just five per cent.

She was put on dialysis and was on the transplant waiting list for four years before she got a second chance at life and she hasn’t looked back ever since.

The World Transplant Games take place every two years, and are supported by the International Olympic Committee. 

Kathryn, a member of Ards Masters Swimming Club, will be competing in the 50m freestyle, 50m breast stroke, 100m breaststroke, 50m back stroke and 100m backstroke.

She says she can’t wait to get going. “My life changed dramatically when I received my kidney in 2009. I took up recreational swimming and just loved getting fitter and fitter and faster and faster in the water.

“The World Transplant Games are an amazing experience with hundreds of athletes from across the globe who simply would not be on the start line if it was not for their donors and the selfless decisions they made.

“Every time I compete, I think of my donor. I’ve been given a second opportunity at life. I compete as a tribute to them and their family.

“Through competing I am not only keeping fit and healthy, but also promoting the importance of organ donation whilst highlighting the amazing success of transplantation.”

Kathryn says she is fitter now than at any time in her life and is training three times a week in the pool. She also incorporated cycling into her training regime and recently took part in the Gran Fondo event, which was based in Co Down.

“The competition at these Games will be very tough and I’m hoping that the hard training over the past number of months will pay off,” she said.

“Team GB & NI have a really strong swim team heading to Spain and we are always pushing one another to put in the best performances. I’m really hoping to  play my part and make the podium.”