ELYRIA, Ohio–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Paralympic athletes using Invacare Top End sports wheelchairs and handcycles blew away the competition with an outstanding showing at the 2008 Paralympics in Beijing. These athletes brought home more than 122 medals, 50 of which were gold. The Chinese Paralympic team, who for the first time ordered all of their wheelchair equipment through Top End, closed the games with 35 wheelchair sport related medals (and a total of 211 Paralympic medals) – far exceeding their Athens performance.
The Chinese Paralympic team had an impressive showing at this year’s Paralympics. Ordering Top End equipment for all wheelchair events, including basketball, rugby, boccia, tennis, racing, table tennis, archery, and shooting, China’s wheelchair racing team was exceptionally victorious. The team used the Top End® Eliminator™ Racing Chairs and won a total of 10 gold medals, three silvers and three bronzes. The team also broke eight World Racing Records and two Paralympics Racing Records. This is an incredible feat compared with their performance at the Athens Paralympics where their best performance was a sixth place.
“It was incredible to see Team Invacare and the athletes using Invacare Top End wheelchairs dominating the Paralympic Games,” said Mary Carol Peterson, Marketing Manager, Invacare Top End. Peterson was present at the games. “There are so many great stories and victories. I am happy that our products helped the athletes perform at their best. Our athletes definitely dominated everywhere, but especially on the track.”
Two key highlights from Team Invacare included:
- Chantal Petitclerc of Canada bringing home five gold medals, one for each track event in which she competed: 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, and 1500m. This was Chantal’s fifth and final Paralympic Games before retiring, and she now has 21 Paralympic medals to her name. Chantal has been a member of Team Invacare since 1993.
- Dual athlete in handcycling and racing, Team Invacare’s Ernst van Dyk brought home the gold in the 35-mile handcycle road race. A world renowned athlete, this was Ernst’s first gold Paralympic medal. Incredibly, Ernst followed up his amazing gold showing with a bronze medal in the men’s marathon.
For great stories from the games, a full medal count and updated pictures and blogs, visit www.invacare.com/2008Paralympics.
Invacare Corporation (NYSE: IVC), headquartered in Elyria, Ohio, is the global leader in the manufacture and distribution of innovative home and long-term care medical products that promote recovery and active lifestyles. The company has 5,900 associates and markets its products in 80 countries around the world. For more information about the company and its products, visit Invacare’s website at www.invacare.com.
Contact:
Invacare Corporation
Lara Mahoney, 440-329-6393