Richard Browne Catapulted To U.S. Paralympic Team

IRVINE, Calif., July 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Freedom Innovations, LLC, a leading developer of high technology lower-limb prosthetic medical devices, announced today that sponsored athlete Richard Browne of Jackson, Mississippi has been nominated to the U.S. Paralympic Track & Field Team for the London 2012 Paralympic Games.  Browne will be the first athlete to utilize Freedom Innovations' groundbreaking Catapult® Running Foot at the Paralympic Games.  He is slated to compete in the 100 meter dash and the high jump.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120703/LA35157)

The 2012 U.S. Paralympics Track & Field Trials were hosted on the Indiana University- Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) campus June 29-July 1.  With a final qualifying race time of 11:16 in the 100 meter dash, and a high jump of 1.85 meters, Browne was nominated to the U.S. Paralympic Track & Field Team along with 53 other elite athletes.

Browne, a below-the-knee amputee due to a traumatic accident in 2009, has taken the world of track & field by storm.  He attributes much of his success to a team of supporters including his family, coach, sponsor Freedom Innovations and prosthetist Brett Lee, C.P., of ProCare Prosthetics in Jackson, Mississippi.  As the first sprinter in the world to train with the Catapult Running Foot, manufactured by Freedom Innovations, Browne believes the technology provides him with unique benefits.

"The Catapult design is completely different than other running feet," stated Browne. "It provides up to 30% more energy return and directs that energy in a more forward motion, while also allowing me the flexibility to make alignment and stiffness adjustments on the fly."

In a race like the 100 meter dash where a tenth of a second is critical, Browne says he trialed a variety of running prosthetic foot products before determining that the new Catapult Running Foot was the best and most energy efficient choice for him.

Browne and his team will continue to refine his prosthetic system and training regimen over the coming weeks as he prepares to go for gold in London.  A dream that once seemed unfathomable now has the distinct possibility of becoming reality for this 21-year-old athlete.

"I couldn't be prouder or more excited to represent my country at the 2012 Paralympic Games," Browne stated. "I feel truly blessed and thank all of those who've helped me come so far in such a short time."

The 2012 Paralympic Games will be held in London, August 29-September 9.

About Freedom Innovations

Freedom Innovations, LLC designs, manufactures, and markets advanced technology prosthetic devices that provide people with physical challenges the ability to reach their full potential.  Based in Irvine, California, Freedom Innovations' lower-limb prosthetics, including industry-leading brands such as the Plie® 2.0 MPC Knee and the Renegade® Prosthetic Foot, are distributed in 41 countries around the world.  For more information, visit www.freedom-innovations.com

SOURCE Freedom Innovations, LLC

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