Bridgestone Leverages Advanced Tire and Rubber Materials to Support Athlete Equipment at Paris 2024 Paralympic Games
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As a Worldwide Paralympic Partner,
Bridgestone is collaborating with athletes to enhance rubber equipment pieces in various adaptive sports. - Survey data¹ shows it is difficult for 61 percent of respondents to find or source the adaptive sports equipment and accessories they need.
- Support for adaptive sports demonstrates the company's belief in equitable access to sports and equipment for people of all abilities.
Bridgestone became a Worldwide Paralympic Partner since 2018 and has focused both globally and locally on making sports and society more inclusive. This includes working with adaptive athletes and community non-profit partners to help create more equitable access to adaptive sports activities.
Bridgestone is now expanding those efforts by leveraging its rubber, materials, and design expertise to help enhance rubber components for certain adaptive sports equipment. The list of rubber-related pieces that will be used by select athletes in
This work helps highlight the challenges faced by many adaptive athletes when it comes to accessing equipment. In a recent survey¹ commissioned by
"Bridgestone believes in the power of sport to have a positive and lasting impact, especially for younger athletes and those with disabilities. Unfortunately, we know not everyone has the same level of access to participate," said
Nearly 60 percent of respondents in the survey stated they have modified or customized adaptive sports equipment or accessories themselves. Additionally, 46 percent stated they have had to modify generic sports equipment to meet their specific adaptive needs, and 16 percent of respondents have even created new equipment themselves that did not exist in the market.
"The right equipment can be life-changing for athletes," said
In consideration of these needs, Bridgestone worked with a variety of Team Bridgestone athlete ambassadors to identify where its unique tire and rubber expertise could help enhance aspects of adaptive sports equipment. Critical performance aspects of tires, such as grip and durability, were identified as significant needs for athletes in sports like Para athletics, wheelchair tennis, wheelchair rugby, and more.
Bridgestone collaborated with Paralympic athletes in
"Collaborating with the engineering team at Bridgestone has been an amazing experience," said
Several Team Bridgestone athlete ambassadors will be competing with some of Bridgestone's rubber equipment at the
In all, Bridgestone is currently supporting 20 current and retired Paralympians as Team Bridgestone athlete ambassadors. This includes 17 who will be competing at
As a Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Partner, Bridgestone is committed to helping support and enhance the experience for athletes, staff, fans, and visitors in
Additional information about Bridgestone's Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Partnerships can be found online at Bridgestone.com/Olympics.
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Survey Methodology: This research was designed to collect information on how adaptive athletes have modified their equipment. It was fielded in partnership with the
About Bridgestone Corporation:
Bridgestone is a global leader in tires and rubber building on its expertise to provide solutions for safe and sustainable mobility. Headquartered in
About
Bridgestone proudly became a Worldwide Olympic Partner in 2014 and a Worldwide Paralympic Partner in 2018. Bridgestone is dedicated to delivering products, services and solutions that improve the way people move, live, work and play, and its commitment to the
About Team Bridgestone:
All Bridgestone activities related to its Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Partnerships are designed to empower people of all backgrounds and abilities to persevere through adversity and perform at their best, no matter what. In support of these efforts, the company is currently partnering with more than 40 inspiring Olympians, Paralympians, and hopefuls from ten countries and over 20 sports to serve as Team Bridgestone brand ambassadors on the Road to
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