IT is the only worldwide federation with its HQ in Winchester.

And now, after more than three decades in existence, it is celebrating after being officially recognised by the International Olympic Committee.

The World Transplant Games Federation, which is administered from an office in Moorside Road, Winnall, puts on sports events for athletes with donated organs.

Mary Twomey, who runs the office, said the recognition could pave the way for transplant athletes to take part in mainstream events such as the London 2012 Olympic Games.

"It also gives credibility to the activities of the federation in terms of the events it runs," said Miss Twomey, who used to run Pierre Victoire in The Square. "It also gives an enormous boost to the transplant athletes to know that they have recognition from such a major player in sport."

Maurice Slapak founded the federation - which has 70 member countries - in Portsmouth in 1978. It was in the Hampshire city that the first British Transplant Games was held, featuring around 100 athletes.

Howard Waters, from Southampton, who has had a heart transplant, won two gold medals for swimming at the 2009 World Transplant Games in Australia.