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Name: Pat O’Sullivan

From: Mallow, Co. Cork

Age category: 50-59

Sports:

• Golf Singles
• Golf Pairs
• 100m Track
• Petanque Doubles

Patrick O’Sullivan received a kidney transplant in 2015, having been diagnosed with kidney failure in 2002. His first transplant games was the World Games in Malaga in 2017 and he has since competed in European, British and most recently the World Transplant Games in Newcastle in 2019. He lives in Mallow, Co. Cork with his wife Helen and is the proud father of two adult children, Carol and Patrick.

“I am primarily a sprinter and long jumper. I have also competed in Regional and National Masters athletic events and I have medalled in all my disciplines at each of these events. Competing in all these events would not have been possible for me prior to my Transplant and every day I thank my donor and my donor family for giving me my new gift of life.”

Being part of Transplant Team Ireland and competing at these events allows me the opportunity to meet other transplant recipients and learn from their stories. I’m looking forward to traveling to Perth for this year’s games and even though injuries are preventing me from competing in my athletic events I am taking this opportunity to compete in other events open to us at the games.

I’d like to thank my family who saw me struggle with my illness for so long and who now champion me in my endeavours to compete. Thanks also to my employer who allows me the time off to compete. I am currently the Operations Control Manager for Irish Rail in the southern area. I take a lot of slack from my work colleagues when I go away to these games telling me to enjoy my holidays but competing in any of these games is far from a holiday with lots of long days going to and from events.

This year’s games will be tough on all competitors travelling from the Northern Hemisphere as with travelling time to Perth and jet lag, competing for us for the first couple of days will be interesting. We have new team members travelling with us this year and I’m really looking forward to meeting them and passing on whatever experience I have to them to help them compete to the best of their abilities.

Is there anything you are looking forward to about this year’s venue (Perth) in particular?

Meeting my son who will be in Perth after emigrating from Ireland for 12 months.

Is there anything else that you would like to add?

I hope everyone traveling to the games has a really enjoyable time and can come home to spread the word about competing and encourage others to join the team.