Ottobock Brings 40 Years of Athlete Support to LA28

When a Paralympic athlete's prosthetic leg breaks hours before competition, there's a team that makes sure they still get to compete.

For nearly 40 years, Ottobock technicians have run free repair workshops at every Paralympic Games, fixing wheelchairs, prosthetics, and other assistive devices so athletes can stay in the game. Now, the medical technology company has been named an Official Supporter of the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympic Games, elevating what has been a behind-the-scenes labor of love into a formal partnership.

"For us, this partnership is about much more than technical service. It is about trust, reliability and helping athletes perform at their very best on the world's biggest stage," said Peter Franzel, who leads global events and sports for Ottobock.

The German company specializes in prosthetics, orthotics, and exoskeletons. Their technicians have become a fixture at Paralympic Games, providing urgent repairs when equipment fails and athletes need to get back on the field, court, or track.

Ileana Rodriguez, a Paralympian herself and LA28's Vice President of Paralympic Strategy, sees the partnership as more than just technical support. "This partnership goes beyond technical service. It is about a mutual mission to expand access to movement for all," she said.

The announcement came during Ottobock's Full Circle Movement event at the Angel City Games in Los Angeles. These free community experiences let people with limb loss or limb difference try cutting edge prosthetic technology and connect with adaptive sports coaches.

Paralympic champion Ezra Frech, who co-founded Angel City Sports, helped build Los Angeles into a hub for adaptive athletics. "Partnerships like this create visibility, opportunity and belief, helping the next generation see what they can achieve through sport," he said.

The Ripple Effect

The partnership reaches far beyond elite athletics. Ottobock's community events across the U.S. create spaces where people can discover what's possible with modern mobility technology and adaptive sports. These grassroots experiences introduce newcomers to activities they may never have considered, building a bridge from first-time participants to potential future Paralympians.

Los Angeles will host its first ever Paralympic Games in 2028, becoming only the third city to host three Olympic Games. The partnership positions the city to showcase inclusive sport at every level, from neighborhood programs to the world stage.

With 9,300 employees worldwide and over 2,600 patents, Ottobock has spent more than a century developing solutions for people with limited mobility. Their LA28 partnership ensures that when the world watches in 2028, every athlete will have the support they need to compete at their best.