A global team of elite para-athletes using Össur’s prosthetic technology has achieved remarkable success at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris, securing 22 medals and setting five new Paralympic records. The athletes, who rely on Össur’s innovative carbon fibre Cheetah sports blades, showcased outstanding performances across multiple events, including sprinting, long jump, high jump, para triathlon, and para cycling.
Össur, a leading global prosthetics brand under mobility solutions provider Embla Medical, saw its prosthetic technology, particularly the distinctive Cheetah blades with their iconic yellow stripe, dominate the Paralympic athletics events. In total, Össur athletes earned 11 gold, seven silver, and four bronze medals, demonstrating the strength of the company’s technology. Had these results represented a single country, Össur would have placed 11th in the overall medal table.
Among the standout performers was Fleur Jong of the Netherlands, who successfully defended her Tokyo Paralympic gold medals in both sprinting and long jump. In Paris, Jong once again claimed double gold, including a record-breaking leap in the women’s T64 long jump, where she set a new Paralympic record with a distance of 6.53 metres. The event saw a clean sweep for Össur athletes, with Marlene van Gansewinkel of the Netherlands earning the silver medal with a personal best of 5.87 metres, and Beatriz Hatz of the United States taking bronze.
Germany’s Markus Rehm, often referred to as the “Blade Jumper”, continued his dominance in the men’s long jump T64 category, securing his fourth consecutive Paralympic gold medal. Rehm, who jumped an impressive 8.13 metres, was also given the honour of carrying the Paralympic torch during the Opening Ceremony. Running on his Cheetah Xpanse prosthesis, Rehm played a central role in the ceremony, culminating in the lighting of the Paris Cauldron.
In a particularly notable achievement, Hunter Woodhall of Team USA won his first-ever Paralympic gold medal in the men’s T64 400m sprint, matching the Olympic triumph of his wife, Tara Davis-Woodhall, who had won gold in the Olympics just a month earlier. Woodhall’s success further highlighted the extraordinary capabilities of athletes competing with Össur prosthetics.
Sveinn Solvason, President and CEO of Embla Medical, expressed his pride in the athletes’ performances and the role Össur’s technology played in their success:
“The Paris Paralympics set new standards for excellence, inclusivity, and audience enthusiasm, and our athletes more than rose to the occasion,” Solvason said. “Össur’s world-renowned Cheetah blades were clearly on display as the prosthesis of choice for many world-class athletes. We are immensely proud of their achievements, and they inspire all of us at Össur to continue innovating and excelling on their behalf. These athletes embody the true spirit of Life Without Limitations.”
Össur’s prosthetics have become the go-to choice for many of the world’s top para-athletes, owing to the advanced design of their Cheetah sports blades. These prosthetics, designed for optimal performance, provide athletes with the necessary agility and speed to compete at the highest levels. The company’s commitment to enhancing mobility and empowering individuals with limb differences has led to significant advancements in prosthetic technology, allowing athletes to push the boundaries of human potential.
The 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris showcased not only the athletic prowess of Team Össur but also the advancements in prosthetic technology that are changing the landscape of competitive sport. Athletes using Össur blades consistently excelled, with performances that resonated with audiences and demonstrated the future of para-athletics.
As the curtain falls on the Paris Games, the success of Össur athletes reaffirms the company’s position as a leader in prosthetic technology, with its innovations continuing to shape the future of sport for athletes with disabilities. Their performances inspire millions around the world and serve as a testament to the power of human perseverance, innovation, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.
