Technical Service Team for the London 2012 Paralympic Games spurs into action

Good morning,

Please find below a press release on behalf of Ottobock announcing the Technical Service Team for the London 2012 Paralympic Games has spurred into action.

Two high resolution images are also attached; should you require anything further, please do let us know.

Warm regards,

Charlotte

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News release
22 August 2012

Technical Service Team for the London 2012 Paralympic Games spurs into action

Ottobock opens 13 workshops providing technical service to the equipment used by 4,200 athletes, including the high-tech chairs used in wheelchair racing, rugby and basketball and the running blades used by the world’s fastest Paralympic sprinters.

A 6,500ft2 workshop in the Paralympic Village has today opened 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 Ottobock Healthcare, the Official Technical Service Provider for the 2012 Paralympic Games and have opened 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 has 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 2000 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, 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 6500 ft2 workshop in the Paralympic Villages in Stratford, Eton Dorney and Weymouth as well as ten 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 hand cycling 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 tonnes 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.

Picture caption: (Further images available on request) Ottobock Healthcare has announced the opening of a 6,500ft2 workshop in the Athletes’ Village, which today saw an influx of Paralympians arrive for support. Ottobock Healthcare, Official Technical Service Provider for the London 2012 Paralympic Games, has set up over 13 tonnes of maintenance equipment and today started repairs one week ahead of the Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony.
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