Alexandra Nechita, a girl of artistic genius, came to Japan on September 27, 2000. She presented her painting "The One and Only".

Alexandra Nechita, a girl of artistic genius, called as a Mozart with a paintbrush and compared with Picasso, came to Japan. She presented her painting "The One and Only" to WTG Kobe. Kiyoko Ono, Chairperson of Kobe Organizing Committee, and Seiji Hirao, Special Adviser of the Games attended the presentation ceremony and received enthusiastic encouragement for WTG Kobe. An 11-year-old girl, Haruka, died in Kobe at Hanshin Earthquake. She had loved her neighbor's parrot very much. Sunflower seeds of its feed happened to grow without anyone knowing it and were found in full bloom. Nechita was moved by this story and began painting the picture of sunflowers in order to "encourage Haruka's parents". Her painting will be exhibited from January 17, 2001, which is the 6th anniversary of the Quake

Forthcoming article in June issue of HOOP "The 13th World Transplant Games"

Have you heard of the N.B.A. basketball player from the San Antonio Spurs in the U.S.A. who received a kidney transplant and had a miraculous recovery from the brink of death? His name is Sean Elliott. He got a living kidney from Noel, his elder brother, on August 16th. 1999 and came back to the N.B.A. to play against the Atlanta Hawks on March 14th. 2000. The many people who saw the game on satellite TV must have been surprised by his energetic play less than one year after surgery. We, the transplant recipients, got a terrific boost from it. We hope he will continue to play in the same powerful way. Our transplant sports organization was interviewed recently by Ms. Nanba, the editor of HOOP, American Basketball Scene. She was impressed to hear about Elliott and learn that transplant recipients can take part in sporting activities and was very interested to learn about the 13th. World Transplant Games that we are to host. An article about us will appear in the June issue of the magazine. We appreciate her interest and look forward to her comments.

The WTGF Council meeting in Kobe -14th to 17th of May 2000.

The Councilors met in Kobe with the Japanese Local Organization Committee (LOC) to look around the sporting facilities and venues to be used for the 13th World Transplant Games in 2001. Questions and issues on accommodation and transport were discussed along with other essential elements that are essential to the the success of the games. A Press conference was held on the 16th of May. LOC President, Mrs. Kiyoko Ono (President of Sasakawa Sports Foundation) was there to announce the details of the games. All the Councilors were satisfied with what they saw in Kobe, and returned their home countries safely.