Mark Selwood wins again at the 25th World Transplant Games in Dresden Germany, August 2025
Mark Selwood wins again at the 25th World Transplant Games
in Dresden, Germany - August 2025
Every two years, athletes from across the globe come together for an event unlike any other; the World Transplant Games (WTG).
Congratulations to Mark Selwood who took part in the Track and Field tournament as a short distance sprinter representing Great Britain, and winning three gold medals in the 400m, 4x100m and 4x400m relay races and one silver medal in the 200m race.
More than just a sporting competition, the WTG are described by Mark as a celebration of life, resilience, and the transformative power of organ donation. Competitors, all of whom have received life-saving transplants, gather not only to test their athletic abilities but to also honour the donors and medical teams who made their second chance at life possible. This year, the WTG took place in the historic city of Dresden, Germany from 17 to 24 August 2025, drawing transplant athletes; supporters including living donors and donor families from each corner of the World.
Mark described the atmosphere as having euphoric moments, and also being deeply emotional when the donors and the families of donors who have passed away proceed into the stadium to receive a standing ovation. Despite the competitive nature of the sport, team spirit and solidarity unite athletes.
Mark said,
The tournament was a collective example of both the limitless and outstanding possibility made by organ donation. Behind each athlete’s participation is a unique story of survival showing strength and gratitude and symbolises hope for those still waiting for their transplant. It was a privileged opportunity to meet others who share a similar path to me and have the chance to celebrate afterward unanimously. As I reflect on my time in Dresden, I am filled with immense appreciation and gratitude for the unwavering support from my family and friends; the opportunity to run, compete with other athletes, and celebrate with such an extraordinary community and notably for the medical team and liver donor who ultimately, saved my life. The medals are a symbol of success and endurance and are a feature of the best prize for me, a second chance to thrive at life!
Mark successfully completed his apprenticeship as Laboratory and Facilities Technician in Professor Richard Wade-Martin’s laboratory between 2021 and 2023. His career continues to progress and since January 2024 is based in the laboratory of Kavli Oxford Director, Professor Dame Carol Robinson, as Laboratory Technician.
To read about Mark’s success at the previous 2023 World Transplant Games read here
Since April 2021, Oxford University's KAVLI Institute for Nanoscience Discovery is proudly serving as a hub for research groups from seven different departments spanning both the medical and physical sciences, including the Robinson Group from the Department of Chemistry and the Wade-Martins Laboratory in the Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics.
