From Pool to Pedals at Paralympics
Team GB Paralympian Jody Cundy will be competing in his fourth Paralympics in September. However, he will have new challenges to meet as he has traded his trunks for pedal power!
UPDATE - Jody won two gold medals, smashing world records along the way! CONGRATULATIONS JODY!
Jody, who has previously won three medals at the games held in Atlanta, Sydney and Athens, has left the pool and taken to the velodrome, to compete in the Kilo and Team Sprint cycling events in Beijing.
His fast-track transition to two wheels has been incredible. Despite using a standard prescription prosthesis, he immediately posted times competitive with the world’s finest disabled athletes.
As Jody explains, “I started out with my original prosthesis, but it was coming off when I was doing sprints. So I had a prototype made which didn’t have a foot, instead it went straight into a cleat at the bottom. That worked and was successful, but I broke it in testing.”
A more sophisticated prosthesis was required. So, Performance Manager Helen Mortimer and Coach Chris Furber approached Össur’s Clinical Specialist Richard Hirons to make the leg to suit Jody’s requirements.
“Össur has a reputation for making specialist prosthetic equipment using silicones and carbon fibre so Helen asked if we could help design and build something appropriate for Jody. This prosthesis is made from carbon fibre and is very lightweight and although close fitting, it has an aerodynamic profile. Expert colleagues from nearby PACE Rehabilitation helped us in the build process of this very unusual and very high performance prosthesis.”
Jody explained “I can really feel the difference between this leg and the last one. When I accelerate, there is less weight to get moving, probably half the weight of the old one and that is a terrific improvement”.
The effect of these technological advancements has been startling on Jody’s performance, setting personal best times each time he has competed with the specialist prosthesis.
Everyone from Össur and PACE wish Jody every success at the Beijing Paralympics.