Two transplant recipients, Elmar Sprink (heart) and Erik Van Rompaye (liver), have formed an inspiring friendship through elite athletic competition after life-saving surgeries. The endurance athletes are currently competing at the 2025 World Transplant Games in Dresden, Germany, demonstrating extraordinary physical achievements while raising awareness about organ donation.
**Who**
The central figures are Elmar Sprink (53, Germany) and Erik Van Rompaye (54, Belgium). Sprink received a heart transplant in 2012, while Van Rompaye underwent liver transplantation in 2021. Both were endurance athletes before their surgeries and have since achieved remarkable athletic milestones despite their medical challenges. They represent a rare subset of transplant recipients who compete at elite sporting levels.
**What**
The athletes first met as competitors at the 2023 World Transplant Games in Perth, Australia, where Van Rompaye edged Sprink for gold in the 5K road race. Their shared experience as transplant athletes forged an unlikely friendship centered on mutual respect. Sprink holds the distinction of being the first heart transplant recipient to complete the IRONMAN World Championship (2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike, marathon), while Van Rompaye has completed the New York City Marathon and Olympic-distance triathlons.
**When & Where**
Their story unfolds at the ongoing 2025 World Transplant Games in Dresden, Germany (August 17-24), where they’re competing again despite new physical challenges. The current Games bring together approximately 2,200 participants from 51 countries, including organ donors, recipients, and donor families. The pair first connected two years prior at the 2023 Games in Perth.
**Why**
Their athletic pursuits serve multiple purposes: managing medication side effects (immunosuppressants can cause diabetes, hypertension), honoring their donors, and proving transplant recipients can achieve extraordinary physical goals. As Sprink notes, sports provide purpose beyond “organ stuff,” while Van Rompaye views it as adapting to life’s challenges. The Games specifically aim to promote organ donation awareness, particularly in Germany which has low donation rates (11.6 donors/million people).
**How**
Both athletes maintain rigorous training regimens while carefully balancing health risks. They exchange training advice and injury updates, with Van Rompaye currently managing nerve damage from his surgery and Sprink recovering from a back injury. Their approach emphasizes moderation – research shows exercise below 60% peak oxygen uptake reduces infection risks for transplant recipients, while higher intensity can increase cardiovascular strain.
**Impact**
Their achievements redefine medical possibilities, challenging perceptions about transplant recipients’ capabilities. Clinicians note their case demonstrates exercise as preventive medicine against post-transplant comorbidities. Dr. Patricia Painter (exercise physiologist) emphasizes that “most people die of cardiovascular disease after transplant, not because of their transplant,” making fitness crucial. Their friendship model shows how competition can build community among those sharing medical experiences.
**What’s Next**
Both athletes continue pursuing ambitious goals: Sprink aims to qualify for another IRONMAN World Championship, while Van Rompaye trains for the Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc (106-mile mountain race). At the Dresden Games, they’ll compete while advocating for mental health support in transplant recovery. The event will live-stream key competitions on YouTube and wtg.com to further its awareness mission.