Because we believe that people with prostheses can do the same things as people without prostheses.
LET ATHLETES BE(AT) ATHLETES
“In 2018 I wondered why Dafne Schippers and Marlou van Rhijn had a 2 sec gap in their 2015/2016 record times on the 100 m sprint. Assuming for arguments’ sake both were physically capable of the same performance, it must have been due to underperforming technology. Mentally I started the “2 Second Journey”.
By the end of the summer in 2023 I dusted off my “2 Second Journey” and set the goal to participate in an extreme sports competition with an athlete using active leg prostheses (blades are passive, they have no actuated movement).
Why sports? Why extreme?
Sport unites people and what we need most is a large community ready to push boundaries. Sports is also a leading field in advancing technological and societal progress. Extreme challenges connect with people, it captivates, stimulates, and let others dream.
Besides the technological challenge I want to make sure that all athletes can compete against each other. Whether you have prostheses or not. We shouldn’t have different or special category: Let Athletes Be(at) Athletes!”
– Steven van Roon, founder
Sports & Science – a great partnership
Prof. Massimo Sartori embraced the challenge immediately and agreed to lead the scientific roadmap we needed.