Ottobock Team Spurs Into Action in London

Ottobock has been a partner to the Paralympic Games providing technical service since the Seoul 1988 Paralympic Games, and has completed approximately 10,000 repairs for athletes during Paralympic Games since then.

A 6,500-foot squared workshop in the Paralympic Village opened on Wednesday (22 August) to provide Paralympians equipment repair and maintenance services ahead of the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

The workshop is one of 13 that will be operated by the IPC's Worldwide Paralympic Partner Ottobock Healthcare, opening one week ahead of the start of competition.

Similar to the services provided by mechanics in motor racing, Ottobock is responsible for the repair and maintenance of equipment used by Paralympians and getting athletes back into the competition as fast as possible.

Athletes arriving in London are expected to visit the workshops to have their equipment seen by Ottobock’s team of 80 technicians as part of their final essential preparations.

On its first day in action, the technical service team already conducted a number of repairs including specialist wheelchair tyre replacement, replacing wheelchair bearings and changing a prosthetic foot – all requiring specialist knowledge and a fast turnaround.

With a wide variety of equipment used in Paralympic Sport, the team of technicians have had to adapt to each repair and work creatively in order to solve equipment problems across all Paralympic sports.

Ottobock will continue to provide technical services throughout the Games and is prepared to complete more than 2,000 repairs.

“The days before the start of competition are traditionally very busy for the workshop. However, this is the 12th Paralympic Games where Ottobock has provided technical service and we are well prepared,” said Ken Hurst, Technical Director of the Ottobock London 2012 Leadership Team.

“Our 80-strong technical service team has many years experience supporting Paralympic athletes and has hit the ground running. We are looking forward to delivering Paralympians the quality of service and innovation that Ottobock is renowned for providing people with limited mobility around the world.”

Facts and Figures

• Ottobock will operate a 6,500-foot squared workshop in the Paralympic Villages in Stratford, Eton Dorney and Weymouth as well as 10 competition and training venues: the Velodrome, North Greenwich Arena, Basketball Arena, Royal Artillery Barracks, Greenwich Park, ExCeL, Eton Manor, Brands Hatch, the Olympic Stadium and the warm-up track. An additional mobile workshop will support the marathon and handcycling road race.

• Over 80 technicians will staff the workshops. They come from Australia, Belgium, Japan, Germany, China, Canada, USA, Spain, France, Russia, Portugal, Mexico, Switzerland, Brazil, Netherland, Singapore, Ireland and Argentina.

• The worked are stocked with 13.5 tons of equipment and 15,000 spare parts.

• Ottobock has been a partner to the Paralympic Games providing technical service since the Seoul 1988 Paralympic Games, and has completed approximately 10,000 repairs for athletes during Paralympic Games since then.