French Paralympian Kevin Pett took part in the torch relay at the Paris Olympics with a robotic exoskeleton. The athlete became paralyzed at the age of 11 due to an accident, and at the age of 36, a device developed by Wandercraft enabled him to walk. After the video of the incident went viral, Pett’s joy was shared by millions.
The exoskeleton-shaped frame device attaches to the human body and allows people with disabilities to sit, stand, walk and climb stairs while maintaining balance.
According to Wandercraft, this innovative invention made Kevin Pett the first wheelchair user in history to participate in the Olympic Torch Relay.
In the video of the incident, the tennis player can be seen walking through the crowd and waving in his face with great joy. Commenting on the video, people from all over the world say that Kevin inspired them with his joy.
The International Olympic Committee called the paraathlete a “symbol of dedication to sport”.
The authors of the invention are currently working on improving the technology and making it more comfortable for home use.
FYI, the Olympic torch relay is one of the long-standing traditions of the Summer Olympics. Every 4 years before the games, a torch is lit in the Greek city of Olympia and brought to the host city of the Olympics.
The Paralympic torch will be lit on August 25 in the British village of Stoke-Mandeville and will be brought to Paris on August 28. But Pett will not be able to participate in this competition: the host athlete did not qualify for the Paralympics.
