Popow Makes Statement at IPC Euros

Germany’s top para-athlete won the 100m T42 sprint on the first day of the IPC Athletics European Championships in top fashion. 25 Jun 2012

“We set up my leg months ago, and the relationship between Ottobock and me is like a family. It’s like the IPC family. I’m happy to be in that and I can’t wait to see all the family members in London.”

It was just another day at the office for Heinrich Popow on Sunday (24 June).

Despite the downpour of rain, Germany’s Paralympic superstar sprinted to gold with a time of 12.66 in the 100m T42 event at the 2012 IPC Athletics European Championships in Stadskannal, the Netherlands, easing past Denmark’s Daniel Jorgensen and Great Britain’s Richard Whitehead for the European title.

He will now compete in the Long Jump F42/44 on Thursday.

The reigning world champion in the 100m T42 and Long Jump F42 came straight from Germany’s championships last weekend in Berlin, and has been hopping from competition to competition with little training in between.

“I think I’m ready for London,” Popow said confidently after receiving his gold medal later Monday evening.

Popow has yet to win Paralympic gold, though, settling for silver in the 100m at the Beijing 2008 Games and taking bronze in the 100m, 200m and Long Jump at the Athens 2004 Games.

The single above-the-knee leg amputee, now full of confidence, hopes to make a statement in London on top of the podium.

Off the track and field, the 28-year-old has made a big name for himself in Berlin with Ottobock’s advertising campaign displaying photos of his face in the city’s main train station for nearly 300,000 people to see each day.

He has worked closely with Ottobock in the last several months in his preparation for the Games.

“It’s really perfect,” Popow said. “We set up my leg months ago, and the relationship between Ottobock and me is like a family. It’s like the IPC family. I’m happy to be in that and I can’t wait to see all the family members in London.”