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Runner, Engineers Build Affordable ‘Hopper’ Blade for Amputee Athletes

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Runner Jérôme Bernard is helping fellow amputees hit the trails by teaming up with engineers and Salomon to create an affordable carbon-fiber prosthetic blade.

Bernard’s discovery of running has improved his sense of well-being and helped maintain his balance, which is especially critical for someone who’s had both legs and an arm amputated.

After realizing how beneficial running was for him, he wanted to assist other amputees. However, the biggest barrier for many amputees is cost.

To change that, Bernard partnered with Airbus and students from IMT Mines who came up with a carbon fiber blade. alongside Salomon, who created the first-ever insoles.

Together, they are making running far more accessible to amputees.

This short Salomon film walks us through Bernard’s story and the making of the new blade.

The economic HOPPER blade will be available for purchase soon in 2022 — read more online. 

Runtime: 3 minutes

Celebrating after running the marathon

They Told Me I’d Never Run Again. So I Did a Marathon.

'You will never run again.' 'It’s all in your head.' 'You will live like this for the rest of your life.' 'Your condition is chronic.' 'You need to accept that you are disabled and always will be.' 'There is no cure.' Read more…

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