My highlight during the Olympic Games

Reports from our orthotists

The Olympic Games finished on August 11. All our teams have returned home, laden with impressions. We asked our orthotists and the organizational team for their personal highlights. Find out here what impressed them most.

Andreas Limbach, Head of Measurement Technology at Bauerfeind AG

I was particularly delighted with how efficiently our measurement technology worked in Paris. In addition to our tried-and-tested Bodytronic 410 system, we also took our “extended workbench”. That meant we were able to digitize the supplying of foot orthoses as well as compression stockings and supports. Our plan really came together there, and we received very positive feedback not only from the athletes but also from team physicians and members of the Organizing Committee.

Laura Asplin, works for our distributor in the UK

The Olympic Games were one of the best experiences of my career! It was a privilege working side by side with Bauerfeind experts to guarantee world-class support and treatment for elite athletes. I really enjoyed the unique atmosphere in the Olympic Village – it was incredible to see so many countries represented. I learned a lot about the different levels of treatment. It was amazing seeing how Bauerfeind products helped teams fulfil their dreams on this global stage. 

Marijke Berghmans, works for our Benelux subsidiary

This was my first time at the Olympic Games for Bauerfeind and I really felt at home. We all got on so well and I experienced many wonderful things. I was able to witness clever treatments and establish many interesting contacts with physicians and athletes.

Marie Habraschka, Product Manager for b:joynz at Bauerfeind AG

Even before the Opening Ceremony, I treated the German Hockey Team’s goal keeper. She suffered an acute injury to the anterior cruciate ligament during training. The Team Physician already knew the SecuTec Genu Flex and asked if we had one available. Thanks to the adjustable Flex-Links, I was able to adapt the orthosis perfectly to her lower leg. “Unfortunately”, I’ll always remember this meeting. On the one hand, because it was a great treatment example using this orthosis. On the other hand, because the Olympic dream was over for her quite too soon.

Frederic Blaise, works for our Benelux subsidiary

I’ve returned to Belgium after an extraordinary time.  I was most impressed by the excellent organization in Paris. Cooperation with the international team was very easy and great fun. Whether Summer or Winter Games, I would certainly want to be a part of it again. Thanks again to the whole team.

Alex Lehle, Trainer in Orthopedics at the Bauerfeind Academy 

My highlight was treating two Silver Medal winners in the same discipline. They couldn’t have been more different. Both of them deserve my utmost respect. One was a Romanian weight lifter in the weight category under 49 kg, and the other, a Korean in the category over 81 kg. I gave the Romanian arm sleeves and a back support, which was a bit of a challenge with an abdominal circumference of less than 60 cm. The Korean received products for her elbow.

Ann-Christin Höhne, works in Field Sales at Bauerfeind AG

This was my first time at the Olympic Games for Bauerfeind and it was a unique experience. The type of treatment that is a challenge to us technicians was particularly interesting for me. For example, I treated a gymnast in her room who was no longer able to move properly after a serious knee injury. During this home visit, I managed to fit the orthosis right there in the Olympic Village.

Luis Ramon-Molla, works for our subsidiary in Spain

This was my third time at the Olympic Games for Bauerfeind. My best memory was meeting the Spanish tennis players Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz. I met them via my contact with one of the Spanish team’s physical therapists, and was able to provide them with sleeves for the thigh and arm. Rafael then wore the sleeves for the thigh during his match, which made me particularly proud.

Dirk Schwager, Head of Sport Performance Concepts at Bauerfeind AG

This was my seventh time at the Olympic Games for Bauerfeind. The organization in Paris was world-class. We had a very professional work atmosphere. And I was pleased that many athletes from the German team came to see us. Many of them received products from us during their preparation for the Olympic Games and were then happy to use our services again in Paris. This meant we were able to establish new contacts for the future.

Mattis Hohmann, Team Leader at the Bauerfeind Academy 

My time at the Olympic Games was an unforgettable experience. Treating the athletes was particularly exciting this time, especially compared to Tokyo. We were able to cooperate more intensively, and the atmosphere was less “sterile”.
It’s always a special sensation seeing the athletes on TV with our products just a few hours after helping them. It really shows how much they trust our work and our products. I also noted many exciting treatment examples that will certainly be very useful during future training events.

Philippe Rondeau, works for our distributor in Canada

Being part of Bauerfeind’s Olympic adventure was an honor and a privilege for me. Meeting and helping athletes from all over the world and getting to know Bauerfeind colleagues from Austria, Spain, Belgium, Australia, Great Britain, and Germany, of course, was absolutely amazing. Cooperation with the physicians in the clinic was also brilliant, and meeting the medical teams in the Canadian and US American athletes’ building was a great opportunity for me to establish new contacts for our daily work. 

Thibaut Ménourie, sells our sports products in France as a distributor

This was a very special experience from an interpersonal perspective. At the polyclinic in the Olympic Village, we had an opportunity to meet many athletes from all over the world. Some just came for preventive purposes and were in a very positive mood. Others, unfortunately, visited us after serious injuries that eliminated them from the competition. We felt their despair and were also there to console them a little. Humanity, solidarity, compassion: Bauerfeind’s treatment at the polyclinic perfectly matches the Olympic values. 

Florian Hametner, works for our subsidiary in Austria

My major highlight was treating a skateboarder from Colombia. Her big dream ended even before the Opening Ceremony. She came to us (in tears) with a serious knee injury. In consultation with the local physician and her team physician, I provided her with a SecuTec Genu Flex. Two days later, she came back to have the restriction changed. And she even visited us on the day of her departure to receive stockings for the journey home. 

Walid Yassine, CEO of our distributor in Australia

Thank you very much for organizing another appearance of Bauerfeind at the Olympic Games. For me personally, the highlight was the “social capital” we established with physicians and athletes. We made great contacts and presented our brand very well, meaning Bauerfeind will be remembered by many. This “indirect” branding at the highest level and the excellent connections will likely have a positive effect in the different markets.

Slavica Lipovac, works for Bauerfeind Middle East

This was my second time as part of the Bauerfeind team for the Summer Olympics. Treating serious injuries was emotionally most challenging for me but also an experience I will remember for a long time. It was great that we were able to offer religious as well as gender-appropriate treatment, thanks to having many women in our team. Some athletes really appreciated that. Helping Serbian or Croatian athletes from my home country was probably my highlight, but I also want to emphasize the excellent team spirit.

Jörg Ritzerfeld, Olympics Project Manager for the organizational team

The Olympic Games in Paris thrilled many people: great organization as well as an amazing atmosphere and competition at the highest level. And as the Bauerfeind Team, we were able to be a part of it, contributing our skills and products. Our products and services were in unprecedented demand. We got so close to these Olympic athletes and shared their joy as well as their sorrow. The work was exhausting but that didn’t affect the team’s mood at all. Everyone helped each other and everyone got involved with great commitment and the necessary energy as well as flexibility. This also applies to our colleagues who weren’t actually in Paris but contributed to the success of the 2024 Olympics Project “behind the scenes” before, during, and after the Games. We would therefore like to thank everyone who was involved!