2008 Summer Olympics
A sewing machine in use at the Beijing Olympics, 08/11/2008
Unusual noises are emerging from Bauerfeind’s orthopedics service station: the clatter of a sewing machine is coming from room 307. Less than two hours were required by the supply team to prepare a special support for the damaged elbow of Nadine Haerdter, a member of Germany’s women’s handball team.
The opening game, which the Germans won against Brazil, was tough and left its mark on the players. “We also have a pivot with a black eye and a number of other players with minor injuries," reports team physician Dr. Marcus Laufenberg at the Bauerfeind service station located within the German House. He is still outraged about the sometimes unsporting behavior of Germany’s opponents. Alongside the doctor is Nadine Haerdter, the left wing who injured her right elbow during a defensive maneuver. The diagnosis from the polyclinic at the Olympic Village revealed that although her bones and tendons were spared any damage, liquid had penetrated into the joint. “It’ll be fine,” says Nadine Haerdter as she bravely answers how her pain is affecting her. She has been playing handball for 21 years now and is anything but squeamish, but right now she is barely capable of throwing a ball properly.
Meanwhile Joachim Böckelmann and Katja Speth from the Bauerfeind supply team are pondering out loud how they can help fulfill the wishes of Dr. Laufenberg and his patient. A product is needed that on the one hand that can prevent the elbow from stretching out all the way during the current phase of the healing process, but which on the other hand allows the athlete to throw unimpeded. The three experts rule out an orthosis, i.e., the use of splints and rigid materials, because these are forbidden by the competition’s rules. After thinking about it for a minute Katja Speth says, “I have the sewing machine here,” and Joachim Boeckelmann knows exactly where his colleague is going with this. “We can take an elbow support and develop a strap system for it to prevent any stretching. We can sew the straps directly onto the support." As Nadine Haerdter looked on in disbelief, Katja Speth goes on to reassure her: “Don’t worry, we’ve already done this before. You have a partner in suffering.”
No sooner said than done: It is tried on and then tailored to fit. For the first time the sewing machine is clattering at Beijing. Then the support is tried on and tried out again. Everyone is determined to find the most optimal solution in the truest sense of the phrase.
“What you are doing here is very valuable,” observes Tim Oliver Kalle, team trainer for the handball players. He is watching what is happening while at the same time using a computer and the Internet access at the service station to quickly reply to his new e-mails. Time is a scarce commodity at the Olympics indeed.
Even before two hours have elapsed at the Bauerfeind station the fit, functionality and handling of the support with the strap system satisfies all those who are present. “Great, I’ll try it out straight away," states Nadine Haerdter happily while a little confident smile spreads across her face.
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