An unforgettable Christmas moment: A sports prosthesis awaited 10-year-old Carolina that not only shone in accents of her favourite colour blue, but also bore her name – the brand-new carbon running blade from medical technology company Ottobock.

Personalised unique sports prosthesis

This one-of-a-kind sports prosthesis was born out of a promise. Heinrich Popow, a former Paralympic star and Director for Performance Solutions at Ottobock, had made it to Carolina a few weeks earlier. Carolina had the opportunity to test a new carbon spring at the Talent Days in November, a weekend dedicated to sports prostheses for children and adolescents. Her feedback contributed to the further development. She was particularly impressed by the speed and momentum enabled by the newly developed carbon spring. ”It makes me really fast,” she said proudly. When she had to switch back to her everyday prosthesis, she was clearly disappointed.

Heinrich Popow knows how important sport is for children with amputations. He comforted Carolina and promised her: “You’ll get a carbon spring like this before the end of the year. Which colour do you like most?” Carolina didn’t hesitate and answered, “Blue.” Normally, the carbon springs are not made in bright colours. But for Carolina, the Ottobock team added blue highlights to the carbon spring. Christmas came, and with it came the fulfilment of a promise. Carolina held her own, personalised sports prosthesis in her hands.

Talent days – sports prosthesis weekends for children, adolescents and young adults

Two and a half years ago, Carolina had to have her left leg amputated below the knee due to bone cancer. As a result of the subsequent cancer treatment, sport was out of the question for Carolina for a long time – until she rediscovered her passion for movement through the Talent Days organised by Ottobock in Leverkusen.

The Talent Days are sports prosthesis weekends for children, adolescents and young adults with amputations and dysmelia. They are organised by Ottobock in cooperation with TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen e.V. Accompanied by experts such as Heinrich Popow, coaches from TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen e.V. and the National Paralympic Committee Germany (DBS), the participants enjoy a sporty and inspiring weekend that focuses on the fun of movement and sharing valuable experiences.

“Carolina played tag, ran races with the other children and was full of energy,” recalls her mother Daniela, thinking back to Carolina's first Talent Days last year. In fact, Carolina has recently joined a track and field club near her home in Hanover and is keen to take her training to the next level.

The junior version of the Paralympic prosthesis

The new carbon running blade 1E97, which will be officially available in the first quarter of 2025, was developed especially for the needs of children and adolescents with transtibial amputations or dysmelia. It is designed for a body weight of 15 to 45 kilograms and is based on the sports prosthesis 1E96 that is also used by Paralympic stars like Johannes Floors – one of Carolina’s favourite athletes. Ottobock is expanding its portfolio of sports prostheses with the 1E97, giving even more children and adolescents the opportunity to participate in sports.