Paralympics: a Breeding Ground for Technological Innovation

Following the long-waited 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics ended with a huge success in early September with its colorful and vibrant closing ceremony at the Tokyo Olympic Stadium. The Paralympics, which began in 1960 with 400 participants from 23 countries, have long been a hotbed for technological advancement. Every year, new innovations are unveiled during the Paralympics, ranging from wheelchairs to bespoke seats to titanium arms.

Over the past decades, 3D printers have become a prominent tool for the development of specialized components required by competitors. Just like the Olympics, Paralympics feature athletes competing in a diverse range of sports; therefore, different parts such as prosthetics or wheelchairs need to be designed and supplied to match an individual athlete's needs. And this is where 3D printers come in handy. With 3D printers' widespread availability, most Paralympians have access to bespoke equipment that is not necessarily expensive and time-consuming. Joe Townsend, a world triathlete champion and former Paralympian, now creates custom-fit grips using a 3D printer. The gloves he makes are molded around the athlete's hands and printed with various materials depending on the situation.

Townsend also creates adaptive equipment to help athletes perform better in tournaments. Townsend's personalized grips are not only affordable, but they can also be manufactured and reprinted quickly if you have access to a 3D printer. The grip's digital architecture also provides for quick responses to athlete feedback because it can be easily adjusted to match their needs.

Paralympians, their coaches, engineers, and sports scientists can now choose from a broad choice of materials thanks to recent developments in 3D printers, which allow the use of different materials that fit uses in various industries ranging from aerospace to medical. A 3D-printed prosthetic arm for New Zealand Paralympian Anna Grimaldi was made of titanium, while a polycarbonate prosthetic leg was first seen on Denise Schindler, a German track cyclist. These materials improve athletes' performance by providing a higher level of durability and strength than regular prosthetics might provide.

While some specialized techniques and materials remain out of reach of amateurs, increasing accessibility to 3D printers allows even non-athletes to experience them. Now we are left with wonders about where 3D printers will bring us in the next four years.