PRESS CONFERENCE - Meet the experts behind the technology used by athletes competing at the London 2012 Paralympic Games

Ottobock, the Official Prosthetic, Orthotic and Wheelchair Technical Service Provider for the London 2012 Paralympic Games is providing media the opportunity to meet the experts behind the equipment and technology that will play an important role for competing athletes

Who: Specialists in bionics and biomechanics will join Paralympian John McFall to provide insight into the science behind running blades and the latest technology used in the mechanical knees relied on by amputee sprinters. Learn the truths behind the research and development of this technology.

When: 24th August 2012, 10:00 am -12:00 noon

Where: Cisco Lounge, Stratford, London (directions attached)

Why should I attend?
This interactive briefing will equip you with knowledge of the technology used in Paralympic sports and will help you prepare for your coverage of the London 2012 Paralympic Games. Topics covered will include: how technology used by people with disabilities every day relates to the prostheses used in sports; the research and development that goes into the creation of new equipment and a question and answer session with industry experts.

PURE SPORT: watch this video to be inspired

The facts and figures:
• Ottobock has a team of 80 prosthetists, orthotists and wheelchair technicians in the Paralympic Village and beside the field of play in nine competition venues providing an essential Games time service that is unique to Paralympic competition. The team includes 12 welders.
• Over 15,000 spare parts and 13 tonnes of equipment will be set up in two days ready for the workshops to open on August 22nd and operate 24/7 until the end of the Games.
• With more than 4,200 athletes from 150 countries competing, it is expected that more than 2,000 athletes will need to visit one of the workshops. This will provide the Ottobock technical service team with a unique perspective as the Paralympic athletes make their final preparations and compete.
• Ottobock has been a partner to the Paralympic Games since the Seoul 1988 Paralympic Games.
• The Ottobock London 2012 Technical Service Team will include 15 members from Great Britain working alongside colleagues from Australia, Belgium, Japan, Germany, China, Canada, USA, Spain, France, Russia, Portugal, Mexico, Switzerland, Brazil, Netherland, Singapore, Ireland and Argentina. They have been selected for their expertise in working with the complete range of adaptive equipment, products and brands used by Paralympic athletes.

To confirm your attendance to this press conference, please contact:
Charlotte Rowland / Thomas O’Neill Media Safari, E: [email protected]. T: +44 (0)1225 471202
www.sourcewire.com