Inspirational Sheffield student Rian Snell has ‘celebrated the gift of a second chance at life’ after he competed at the British Transplant Games, which were hosted in Sheffield.

The Sheffield Hallam University Sport and Exercise Science student, who also works for leisure operator Everyone Active as a recreational assistant, competed at the Games which were held at the English Institute of Sport Sheffield (EISS).

In 2008, at just three years old, Rian received a kidney transplant from his mum Karen after he had faced ‘significant health challenges from before he was born due to renal failure while he was in the womb and a bladder reconstruction when he was two and a half’.

On competing after his transplant, the 21-year-old said: “Ever since my transplant, I’ve been very stable and have a very close connection with my mum, as you can imagine because it's been an incredible journey for both of us and she’s an exceptional mother who supports me at every competition, as well as my dad.”

“Everyone with a transplant has been given that second chance that they may never have got if it wasn’t for organ donation. When you’re living with that, you very much cherish it and look after it.”

Seventeen years after his transplant Snell has continued to pursue his ‘passion for sport’ and the athlete, who specialises in the 100m and long jump, has represented Great Britain at international transplant competitions.

On competing at the British Transplant Games in Sheffield, which took place between 6-9 August, the Kent-born international said: “I was so looking forward to competing in a facility that I work at. I was originally in Sheffield for the Games in 2013, and so it was very nice for it to be back in the city.”

“Everyone has their own experiences and their own unique story, but there’s that hidden understanding between us at the Games. It's an incredible opportunity for everyone that's experienced a transplant in any form to come together.”

Snell has competed in the Transplant Games since he was four years old with the international representing Great Britain at numerous events including: the World Transplant Games in Newcastle in 2019 and the European Transplant Games in 2022.

He has also developed ‘a strong interest in sport beyond his own competition’ which has lead to him working as a strength and conditioning intern at Sheffield Hallam University whilst also completing a placement with the team organising the British Transplant Games in which helped with ‘event preparation and media activity’.

On Snell’s achievements, the partnership manager at Everyone Active Lorenzo Clark said: “Rian is an incredibly inspiring individual and colleague, and we’re very proud that he is part of the Everyone Active team. What makes his journey particularly special is that Rian has embraced sport, education and new experiences, while using his own journey to inspire others.”

“The British Transplant Games are a wonderful celebration of what can be achieved following transplantation, while also shining a light on the life-changing importance of organ donation. Rian is a fantastic example of how sport can bring people together. It has been a privilege to host a range of activities for this extraordinary event at the English Institute of Sport Sheffield.”

Snell, who was supported at the Games by his mum, dad Matthew, brother and wider family, won gold at the games in both the 60m with a time of 7.56s and the long jump with 5.80m.

The athlete ‘hopes his story can highlight the positive impact that sport, physical activity and community can have on people’s lives and hopes to one day become a performance coordinator for an elite sport team or manage major sporting events’.

Snell’s ‘final message to others is to make the most of the opportunities life presents', as he said: “I don’t see my life as fragile. I see it as a blessing and I just take it day by day. It’s a very unique perspective of having a transplant and then living with it, but it’s such a special thing.”

The British Transplant Games bring together transplant recipients from across the UK to compete in a range of sporting events, celebrate their achievements and raise awareness of the importance of organ donation.

To find out more, visit: Sheffield 2026 | Transplant Active