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Space-tech at the Paralympics

21 September 2004

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Wojtek Czyz currently holds the world record for long jump: 5.85 m set in 2003. At the Paralympics 2004 in Athens he hopes to exceed 6 m and set a new record.

Credits: Fotoagentur Kunz

Space materials to the rescue

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Wojtek Czyz long-jumping during training at the German Sports University in Cologne, Germany. A special prosthesis has been constructed for him for his participation to the Paralympics with space materials. The space materials’ advantage is that they are extremely strong and at the same time lighter than conventional products.

Credits: MST Aerospace / ESA

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The European Space Agency's Technology Transfer Programme has initiated collaboration with German athlete Wojtek Czyz to improve prostheses for people with disabilities, to help them participate in sports at competitive levels as well as enjoy a better life.

Credits: Fotoagentur Kunz

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The European Space Agency's Technology Transfer Programme is collaborating with German athlete Wojtek Czyz to improve prostheses for people with disabilities, to help them participate in sports at competitive level as well as enjoy a better life.

Credits: Fotoagentur Kunz

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Wojtek Czyz with his improved long-jump prosthesis. The prosthesis consists of four pieces. The first is a shaft used to attach the prosthesis to the stump of the leg, the second is the artificial knee, the third is the knee joint element, an L-shaped bracket connecting the artificial knee to the fourth element, a carbon fibre spring that substitutes for the lower part of the leg and the foot.

Credits: MST (image) / ESA-Medialab AOES (diagram)

Training

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Wojtek Czyz trains at the German Sports University in Cologne (DSHS)

Credits: Stefan Schneider / DSHS

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Wojtek Czyz uses the Percutaneous Electrical Muscle Stimulator (PEMS) from ESA to increase his muscle mass and reduce atrophy in the leg. PEMS was developed and manufactured by the Swiss company Syderal to prevent the effects of microgravity on astronauts particularly muscle atrophy and accompanying effects like bone mineralization and cardiovascular de-conditioning. In 1996 PEMS I flew on the Space Shuttle and PEMS II is planned to be delivered to the ISS next May.

Credits: Stefan Schneider / DSHS

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ESA's Technology Transfer Progamme has supported the improvement of Wojtek Czyz' prostheses. Here he is testing the one specially developed for sprinting which he is using at the Paralympics Games 2004 in Athens for 100 m and 200 m sprint.

Credits: Fotoagentur Kunz

More information

Wojtek Czyz Paralympic Games, Athens 2004 Gold in 100 m sprint

ESA links

Technology Transfer Programme Human Spaceflight and Exploration European Healthcare Network