Canada's Austin Smeenk, pictured in 2023, is using his knowledge of electromechanical engineering to enhance his wheelchair's performance as he prepares for the Paris Paralympics. (Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
Two Canadian Paralympians are tapping into their engineering backgrounds to enhance their performance at the games, using technology to gain a competitive edge. For wheelchair racer Austin Smeenk and cyclist Alexandre Hayward, every second counts, and their knowledge of mechanics makes a difference.
Smeenk, a 27-year-old wheelchair sprinter from Oakville, Ontario, is no stranger to success. He claimed silver and bronze at the World Championships last year and broke world records in the men’s T35 400- and 800-meter races in June. Smeenk, who also holds an electromechanical engineering degree, is keenly aware of the importance of the wheelchair in his sport. He believes that while the athlete’s performance is crucial, having an optimized wheelchair can make all the difference in reaching the podium.
Smeenk has been training at Athletics Canada’s West Hub in Victoria, British Columbia, where he collaborates with Camosun Innovates, a local lab, to fine-tune his wheelchair. His engineering expertise allows him to design and customize his equipment, ensuring it's as light and efficient as possible. For Smeenk, the process is akin to race car engineering: reducing weight and increasing speed. He regularly works with his coach and the lab team to examine every aspect of his equipment, eliminating unnecessary weight and optimizing every detail.
According to Smeenk, finding the perfect balance between the wheelchair and his body mechanics is essential. It’s not just about speed but also about how the chair interacts with his body during races. Every detail, from the angle of his arms to the point of contact with the wheels, is carefully calculated to ensure peak performance. This level of precision, Smeenk says, is what separates gold medalists from the rest.
Similarly, Alexandre Hayward, a 27-year-old cyclist from Quispamsis, New Brunswick, is applying his engineering knowledge to gain an advantage in his sport. Hayward, a former hockey player who became a Paralympian after a neck injury left him with limited mobility, is heading to his first Paralympics in Paris. Like Smeenk, Hayward is constantly analyzing data and adjusting his equipment to suit his specific needs.
For Hayward, optimizing his bike is a complex process. He inserts touchpoints to ensure his fingers are correctly positioned and adjusts his saddle to maximize his power output. He also pays attention to the smaller details, such as the fit of his socks and the aerodynamics of his helmet, which he refers to as “free speed.” Hayward spends time researching what able-bodied athletes are doing, hoping to apply their advancements to his performance.
Both athletes believe that these meticulous adjustments to their equipment could be the difference between winning a medal or missing the podium. With their eyes set on Paris, Smeenk and Hayward hope their technical expertise will help them achieve Paralympic glory. Whether shaving off tenths or hundredths of a second, they know that their efforts in perfecting their gear could make all the difference when it matters most.
