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British gold medallist dies at World Transplant Games
Nancy (France), July 24: A champion British athlete competing in the World Transplant Games died while playing in the badminton competition - the first such death since the Games were started in 1978.
Nancy (France), July 24: A champion British athlete competing in the World Transplant Games died while playing in the badminton competition - the first such death since the Games were started in 1978.
Alan Ayre, who had had a kidney transplant, succumbed to a cardiopulmonary attack yesterday, officials said. Ayre was a gold medal winner at the last World Transplant Games in Kobe, Japan, two years ago,
Doctors from the French and German teams, backed up by rescue workers, were unable to revive Ayre, who had been checked by three doctors ahead of the competition, officials said.
"The rate of recovery from this type of problem is less than one per cent," said Patrick Blanchot, president of the World Transplant Games federation.
Officials ordered the games, which end Sunday, to continue - "the best homage we can pay" to Ayre, a statement from the organisers said. Some 1,500 athletes from 55 countries are taking part in the competition.
Andre Rossinot, mayor of this city in Eastern France, sent condolences to Ayre's family and the English team.
Bureau Report
Alan Ayre, who had had a kidney transplant, succumbed to a cardiopulmonary attack yesterday, officials said. Ayre was a gold medal winner at the last World Transplant Games in Kobe, Japan, two years ago,
Doctors from the French and German teams, backed up by rescue workers, were unable to revive Ayre, who had been checked by three doctors ahead of the competition, officials said.
"The rate of recovery from this type of problem is less than one per cent," said Patrick Blanchot, president of the World Transplant Games federation.
Officials ordered the games, which end Sunday, to continue - "the best homage we can pay" to Ayre, a statement from the organisers said. Some 1,500 athletes from 55 countries are taking part in the competition.
Andre Rossinot, mayor of this city in Eastern France, sent condolences to Ayre's family and the English team.
Bureau Report