Forging the Path to LA28: How a Key Partnership is Fueling Paralympic Dreams

AUSTIN, Texas and LOS ANGELES – May 05, 2026 – As the countdown to the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games continues, a powerful partnership is working to build the foundation for a new era in adaptive sports. Global prosthetics leader Ottobock and the Los Angeles-based nonprofit Angel City Sports are expanding their collaboration for the 2026 Angel City Games this June, a move designed to accelerate athlete development, enhance community support, and build momentum toward the world's biggest stage for adaptive athletics.

The renewed partnership will see the return of two cornerstone events: the Full Circle Movement clinic for athletes and The Athlete's Corner for clinicians. Together, these initiatives represent a comprehensive approach to growing adaptive sport from the ground up, ensuring that as LA28 approaches, the ecosystem of athletes, coaches, and healthcare professionals is stronger than ever.

Building a Community of Possibility

At the heart of this collaboration is Angel City Sports, a nonprofit co-founded in 2013 by Paralympic champion Ezra Frech and his family. Born from the realization that Los Angeles lacked centralized opportunities for adaptive athletes, the organization has grown into one of the nation's largest providers of free, year-round adaptive sports programming. Serving over 1,000 athletes annually through hundreds of clinics, Angel City Sports has become a vital hub for youth, adults, and veterans with physical differences.

The annual Angel City Games, taking place this year from June 26–28, is the organization's flagship event. It’s here that the partnership with Ottobock comes to life most vividly with the Full Circle Movement event on June 26. Far more than a simple demonstration, the event offers individuals with limb loss and limb difference a hands-on opportunity to trial state-of-the-art prosthetic technology, receive expert coaching, and, most importantly, connect with a community that understands their journey.

For many, the experience is life-changing. One past participant described the Angel City Games as "transformative," providing "medicine and joy" after losing the ability to walk. This sentiment echoes throughout the community, where sport becomes a vehicle for physical health, mental wellness, and social connection.

"Our partnership with Angel City Sports reflects a shared belief that movement should be accessible to everyone," said Melissa Langley, Director of Marketing Communications at Ottobock North America. "As we look ahead to LA28, moments like these are critical in building pathways for athletes, raising awareness, and strengthening the community that supports them."

The Dual Engine: Technology and Expertise

While Angel City Sports provides the community platform, Ottobock brings a legacy of technological innovation and clinical expertise forged over decades at the highest level of competition. As the official Technical Service Partner for the Paralympic Games since 1988, the company has supported tens of thousands of athletes. What began as an improvised repair tent in Seoul has evolved into a high-tech operation. At the Paris 2024 Games, for example, Ottobock deployed a 164-person team that handled approximately 2,700 repairs, utilizing advanced tools like 3D printing to get athletes back in the game.

This same spirit of service and innovation is present at the Angel City Games. The Full Circle Movement event allows aspiring athletes to test the very technology that powers Paralympians, from running blades to advanced microprocessor knees.

However, the partnership's impact extends beyond the athletes themselves. Recognizing that advanced technology is only as effective as the professionals who support it, Ottobock will also host The Athlete's Corner on June 25. This exclusive educational event provides prosthetists, physical therapists, and other mobility specialists with in-depth training on running prosthetics and best practices for supporting adaptive athletes.

"The Athlete's Corner is about equipping clinicians with the tools and knowledge to better serve their patients," explained Lucas Crisanti, Head Coach of Full Circle Movement and a clinical instructor for the event. "When clinicians feel confident, athletes feel empowered." This dual focus on both user technology and professional training creates a powerful feedback loop, driving progress across the entire adaptive sports landscape.

A Champion's Vision, A Global Stage

The synergy between the two organizations is embodied by Ezra Frech, co-founder of Angel City Sports and an Ottobock global ambassador. Frech, who was born with congenital limb differences, became a two-time Paralympic gold medalist at the Paris 2024 Games. His journey from a young boy seeking a place to play sports to a world-record-holding champion informs the mission of both organizations.

His advocacy and lived experience are a constant reminder of the partnership's ultimate goal: creating opportunity, visibility, and equity. "Events like Angel City Games are more than competition," Frech stated. "They're about showing what's possible and creating space for the next generation of athletes to see themselves in sport."

This vision is timelier than ever. The adaptive sports industry is on a steep growth trajectory, with a global market valued at $5 billion in 2024 and projected to more than double by 2032. With the LA28 Games on the horizon, a recent survey found that 81% of adaptive sports organizations expect a significant increase in participation. The partnership between Ottobock and Angel City Sports is not merely a feel-good story; it is a strategic investment in this growing movement, positioning Los Angeles as a global leader in disability inclusion.

By combining community-based access with elite technology and expertise, they are building a sustainable pipeline of talent and support. They are ensuring that when the world turns its eyes to Los Angeles in 2028, there will be a vibrant, prepared, and celebrated community of adaptive athletes ready for the spotlight.