A French Paralympic athlete can walk again – all thanks to technology.
Tennis player Kevin Piette, 36, who lost his legs in an accident at the age of 11, has made history by carrying the Olympic torch wearing a robotic exoskeleton.
Heartwarming footage shows him smiling as he walks past waving crowds in Poissy, north-west Paris, as the traditional torch relay nears the end of its route.
X user @Brink_Thinker posted the clip, which was described as “inspiring” by other social media users.
Someone commented on the post and said, “I have never seen such a happy face!!!”
Kevin Piette, 36, who lost his legs in an accident at the age of 11, is filmed walking through the streets of Paris with the Olympic torch in his hands
Another posted: ‘So happy for him. Keep up the good work. God bless technology.’
On Reddit, one user described it as “awesome technology put to good use,” while another simply called it “inspiring.”
Another said: ‘That’s amazing. Imagine if the exoskeletons got thinner and lighter.’
Someone else wrote: ‘(This) is a big part of what the Olympics are about.
‘Bringing people together, learning from each other and sharing victories of all kinds.’
In a blog post, the International Olympic Committee called Mr Piette ‘the embodiment of sporting dedication’.
“Despite the accident that left him paralyzed eleven years ago, Kevin has not thrown in the towel,” it says.
Instead, he returned to tennis as a para-athlete and became an exoskeleton “pilot” for a company developing a robotic walking device.
‘By carrying the Olympic torch, Kevin inspires people to get involved in sports and promotes innovation for people with disabilities!’
On Reddit, one user described it as “awesome technology put to good use,” while another simply called it “inspiring.”
The personal exoskeleton, worn here during a promotional shoot by Mr Piette, was developed by the French company Wandercraft
Mr Piette wears the latest personal exoskeleton developed by French company Wandercraft, which was officially unveiled in New York in December.
The battery-powered exoskeleton supports the user’s legs, allowing them to sit, stand, walk around, climb stairs and navigate unfamiliar terrain.
A sensor on the back detects when the wearer wants to walk or stand, while a hand control allows changes in direction and speed.
As one of the first testers, Mr Piette took part in ‘cybathlons’: competitions in which people with disabilities use assistive technologies to perform daily activities.
According to Wandercraft, this is the first time a self-balancing exoskeleton has run the Olympic torch relay while carrying an actual wheelchair user.
The company hopes the device will “represent a major leap forward in assistive technology” by bringing the first self-stabilizing walking exoskeleton to market for everyday use.
‘(It will) enable millions of people with walking disabilities to regain their mobility and move freely, both at home and in their communities. This increases their independence and sense of freedom and addresses health and wellbeing issues associated with sedentary lifestyles,’ the report said.
The torch for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games was lit on April 16, 2024 in ancient Olympia, Greece (photo)
The famous Olympic Torch Relay is a traditional event that precedes every Summer Olympics.
The torch will be lit in Olympia, Greece – where the ancient Olympic Games were held more than 2,000 years ago – before being gradually transported to the host city.
It will arrive in Paris ahead of the opening ceremony of the Summer Olympics next Friday (July 26).
Meanwhile, the Paralympic Games have their own torch relay, although it is a lot shorter.
It will be lit on August 25 in the English village of Stoke Mandeville, widely regarded as the birthplace of the Paralympic Games, before travelling to Paris for the start of the Paralympic Games (August 28).
But Piette will not participate in the Paralympic Games this summer because he did not qualify, Wandercraft said.