Ryan Flores and Zachary James Walker stood side by side, with their arms interlocked over each other's shoulders. They grinned in glorious fashion for friends, family members, and furiously shuttering cameras. They lingered on the podium for a while longer, then raised their arms high over their heads and smiled and smiled into the hot noon sun. They're both nine years old, they both received a kidney transplant as toddlers in 1994, and they're both 2002 U.S. Transplant Games medalists.

Ryan and Zachary competed in the long jump event this morning, with Ryan edging Zachary for the gold medal by three inches -- 8'4" to 8'1". This is Ryan's first trip to the Transplant Games; Zachary is a two-time veteran. And they both say they'll be back. With so much in common -- and an apparent fondness growing between them -- it seems certain that a friendly rivalry is in the making.

These youngsters should hope so -- and they can talk to Tom Henry, Paul Zelmansky, and Joe Kratzer about how much fun that can be. Now competing in the 40-49 age group, the older threesome has been competing against one another in a variety of events since the early 1990s. The three old friends were standing around reminiscing by the medal stand this afternoon following the shot put awards ceremony. Henry, a member of the Southern California Team, took the gold with a throw of 38'11". He was followed by Zelmansky at 34'10", who edged Kratzer's 33'8". Yet they all know the places could be jumbled the next time around. And there will most definitely be a next time.

Like Ryan and Zachary, Tom, Paul, and Joe have all received new kidneys. Kratzer, a Team Ohio member, received his sister's kidney in 1989, and he has competed in nearly every Transplant Games since 1992. This year, in addition to the shot put, he tossed the softball, and he will be cycling and playing volleyball and basketball. Henry, meanwhile, seems on some sort of endurance mission. Including both team and individual competitions, he says he's enrolled in "eight or nine" events. Clad in American flag red, white, and blue from the kerchief on his head to the shoes on his feet, Henry has attended all of the U.S. Transplant Games and a couple of the World Transplant Games held since 1994. This year, Henry's already racked up a silver medal in the long jump to go with his shot put gold. The long jump gold medal, of course, was won by Zelmansky.

Zelmansky is with Team Michigan. He received his kidney in 1991, and has likewise been competing in the Transplant Games ever since. He says that in his 20s and early 30, he was constantly in undiagnosed ill health, which eventually led to his transplant -- and the best health he has ever enjoyed.

Though they're thrilled to be able to go head-to-head every year, it's really all about the friendships. They're having a great time together, ribbing each other about who came out on top this time around. Though this dynamic trio is hopeful that others will soon join the battle for dominance, these three are in robust health, and highly competitive -- so good luck to anyone who might try.

There were some very fast youngsters -- and oldsters -- flying around the track this afternoon, and the shortest sprints -- at 50 meters -- were impressively swift. Arms were flailing, legs were churning, and sweat was pouring. The relays were a linear ballet: all four members riveted straight ahead, with the baton pass converted to a hand slap for ease of conversion. The older age groups often yielded larger fields -- with two and sometimes three heats -- but the youngest kids usually put on the best shows.

There was the adorable, golden-haired Erin Fizgerald, for instance, whose feet barely touched the track as she glided along for gold in the 50 meter race at a pace she estimated at "100 miles an hour." Tell her she is as fast as the wind and she lets loose with a delightful high-pitched chirp.

Erin is only five years old, and she received one of her father's kidneys not long ago. Mother Jamie was a match, too, but certain complications meant that Patrick was the better choice. Patrick, Jamie, and her proud brother, Ryan, were all on hand at the awards ceremony -- after which they hustled little Erin over to the softball toss. She practiced her arm motion a time or two before she departed, and you could tell she meant business. Her precious little wave good-bye made you want to invite her to stay. Her family gets to take her home to Morton, Illinois, when the Games have run their course. How lucky -- and happy -- they must feel.

Perhaps the loudest cheer of the morning went to three-year-old Hayden Scheffer of St. Louis, Missouri. His father, Dave, says Hayden was born with a still undiagnosed genetic disorder "that affects a lot of systems." A big boy for his age -- which Dave says is a good thing because he wouldn't have been able to donate one of his kidneys just seven months ago if his son hadn't been large enough to receive it -- Hayden churned with determination as he began his 50 meter heat. And he was making great headway, until he heard a gathering throng along the sidelines, cheering him on. First he turned and glanced over, though he kept running, even if his pace had slowed.

"Hay-den! Hay-den! Hay-den!" they began to chant.

This time Hayden stopped. And this time Hayden stared -- only a few feet from the finish line. "Finish, Hayden! Finish!" everyone roared.