Pit stops at Ottobock provide just-in-time repairs to Paralympians’ equipment
For many Paralympic athletes, equipment isn’t simply a tool for mobility, but also an extension of the self
By JULIANNA RUSS and TOM NOUVIAN
Published - Aug 31, 2024, 01:03 PM ET
Last Updated - Aug 31, 2024, 01:03 PM EDT
PARIS (AP) — A metallic scent, distinctly heavy, lingers from a repair made only a few hours earlier.
Before the day’s first wheelchair rugby competition even began, Ottobock employees Adam Gill and Chris Voitl had all hands on deck as they ground a sharpened side panel back into its original round form with precision. They were servicing a wheelchair for a Canadian wheelchair rugby player, and it was imperative that his equipment be ready for the day’s competition.
It was one of hundreds of repairs that Gill, Voitl and their Ottobock colleagues tackle daily at the Paralympics in Paris.
“Yeah, this is intense,” Gill said. “It is the pinnacle of my profession so far. It’s the best thing I’ve ever done.”
