IPC praises Ottobock’s work at Sochi 2014 Paralympics

“Ottobock have been a continual supporter and a great partner to the Paralympic Movement over the last 25 years and I am looking forward to many more years of their support.”

International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President Sir Philip Craven has praised the team of Ottobock technicians charged with enabling winter Paralympians to continue performing at their best as the Ottobock workshop remained busy right up to the Closing Ceremony of the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games.

Ottobock technicians worked until the final moments of the Winter Games in Sochi to fit specialist flag holders to wheelchairs to enable national flag bearers to lead their teams out at the spectacular Closing Ceremony.

Sir Philip said: “Once again I have been deeply impressed with the Ottobock team providing expert and high-speed repairs and servicing to Paralympians from around the world who have come to compete here in Sochi.

“For Paralympians, both summer and winter, the need for fast, expert and quality technical support is invaluable – and the Ottobock technical service team worked at the very highest level behind the scenes to enable our sportsmen and women to compete.

“Ottobock have been a continual supporter and a great partner to the Paralympic Movement over the last 25 years and I am looking forward to many more years of their support.”

The Paralympians’ equipment repair and maintenance services opened for business ahead of the Opening Ceremony to provide essential equipment servicing and repairs in the build-up to, and throughout, the Winter Paralympics.

In the past two-and-a-half weeks, the 28-strong team of Ottobock technicians have carried out 260 repairs to enable Paralympic athletes from around the world to continue performing at the highest level.

More than 138 athletes, plus 41 team and Games officials and members of the Paralympic Family, from 39 nations needed repairs critical to their participation in the Games.

They passed through Ottobock workshops, which were located in the two Athletes’ Villages and three competition venues: ice sledge hockey, alpine skiing and cross-country skiing.

The Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games also marked 25 years of Ottobock’s Paralympic partnership since the company became the original Worldwide Partner of the Paralympic Movement.

“For the last 25 years we have been Partner to the Paralympic Games helping athletes around the globe perform at their personal bests when it matters most. We are very proud to have been part of the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games, which has captured global attention as a spectacular showcase of sport and athleticism,” said Professor Hans Georg Nader, President and CEO of Ottobock Healthcare.

“Our commitment to the Paralympic Movement is an integral part of our company culture; it is ingrained in our corporate DNA and we are more committed than ever to working with athletes and our partners to grow the Paralympic Movement over the next 25 years.”