Tokyo Paralympics organizers opened a repair center for limbs, wheelchairs and other equipment in the athletes’ village on Sunday before the games begin next week.
According to the organizers, around 100 employees will provide repair and maintenance services in the center and at the stands at 14 competition venues. Services include tire changes and welding repairs on wheelchairs.
The service team includes three technicians from the German prosthesis manufacturer Ottobock, who operates the repair and maintenance center in the Paralympic Village.
Heinrich Popow, a German Paralympics gold medalist associated with Ottobock, said the center provides both technical and mental support to Paralympic athletes.
“The close cooperation between technicians and athletes creates friendships that give courage in the competitions,” said Popow, who won gold in the men’s 100 m T42 in 2012 and the men’s T42 in 2016 in the long jump.
T42 is a classification for athletes who have an amputation above the knee or a comparable impairment.
The Paralympics – from August 24th to September 5th – include swimming, table tennis, wheelchair fencing and basketball. Over 4,000 athletes with different disabilities will take part.
