Nothing, not the thrill of claiming a world record nor the ecstasy of four gold medals, could even compare to the rush Robbie Yates experienced from the atmosphere which engulfed him. Standing on the starting blocks at his first World Transplant Games, it was a moment the young swimmer and his family never dreamt he could have had when he suffered kidney failure as a two-year-old

Robbie ventured to Perth in April to take part in the Olympics of transplant patients, a competition designed to promote the need to raise public awareness of organ and tissue donation.

The 14-year-old Gold Coast product stole the show, clinching the 12-14 years division world record in the 100m breaststroke (1:51) while also finishing atop of the podium in the 50m breaststroke, freestyle and butterfly.

Already Robbie has begun preparations to make another statement at the 2025 Games, beginning to learn German for the showcase in Dresden.

But as he returns to training three times a week, in and among frequent hospital visits and health setbacks, he is still dreaming more of the chance to relish in the atmosphere again rather than another cleansweep in the pool.

“It felt very good to be achieving the medals and the world record,” Robbie said.

“But I think the atmosphere was better, it made me happier about everything — more than the medals and the world record — having so many people around you with similar experiences and stories.

“On the blocks I felt nervous, the Australian team was cheering in the background, you could hear other countries just screaming go Britain, go Germany.

“Afterwards it was like one big family.”

ROBBIE’S BATTLE

From the time he was two, Robbie has become accustomed to hospital visits.

Too comfortable, according to his mother Emma, who recalls times when he had been so much he almost considered it a second home.

“It’s just a part of my life,” Robbie says, “I’ve always known it so I consider it to be normal.”

When Robbie was diagnosed with kidney failure he was too small to have the more traditional haemodialysis; a form of treatment which filters water and waste from a patient’s blood in the same manner as healthy kidneys.

He instead was put on peritoneal dialysis, attached with a tube in his belly for 12 hours a day, seven days a week.

While on dialysis the Helensvale Swimming Club talent was still unable to eat without vomiting, and even upon receiving his kidney transplant two years later he remains on 14 different medications and has accumulated more than 60 stints in hospital.

Beginning school, exposed to bigger groups of children and potential infections, any illness or setback was magnified.

It made watching her son achieve such success all the more overwhelming to Emma from the stands.

“He’s immunocompromised and infections become more severe. If he’s ended up in hospital there’s been times it’s taken a long time to get back to fit again,” Emma said.

“Everything was a lot worse. They (colds or infections) either lasted longer or it was a lot more severe. For example one time his prep class all got a 24 hour gastro bug; for him he was in hospital for a number of days.

“Chickenpox has the potential to kill him, so it’s always around the infections. Now it’s just getting him to push through the times when he hasn’t felt well and to keep with his school work and keep going with exercise such as bike riding or swimming.

“Just seeing the perseverance and all the training pay off and see him actually represent Australia and put on the green and gold uniform and raise the Aussie flag I couldn’t stop beaming with pride.”

CALL FOR THE GAMES

As a physiotherapist, Emma has always encouraged Robbie to partake in sport while managing his condition, which led him to the 2023 Australian Age Championships on the Gold Coast.

She recalls times where he had left hospital having lost 10 per cent of his body weight, reminding him that without sport he would have struggled to rebound as quickly and battle “the next infection or hiccup on the road”.

Robbie’s reality is hard for others his age to comprehend, Emma says, as what is of vital importance to them does not resonate with him.

Watching someone pass away while awaiting for a transplant of his own epitomised that for the Yates family.

And Emma said it highlighted why the Transplant Games were so crucial, both for the inclusion participants experienced and the rallying call for organ donations and support that was continually needed.

“He lost somebody at the end of last year who was waiting for a transplant and he died, so I guess what’s important for him and reality is very different to typical kids,” she said.

“No transplant last a lifetime, you never know when it will fail — the average for a kidney is 15 years. It (shows) how important these Games are.

“He felt so included and everybody just understood. The Games aren’t only about improving organ donation and recognition and the importance of registering for organ donation.

“It also help kids feel included and have other people who are going through similar experiences and it’s also a way to compete in spirit at a high level. Being able to compete as an elite athlete was really good for him.”

nick.wright@news.com.au