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Despite his injury, Kevin Piette continues to play numerous sports, as well as competing in "cybathlons" where he completes everyday tasks wearing the exoskeleton.
WASHINGTON — More than 10,000 people have helped the Olympic torch on its journey through France to Paris, including one man wearing a futuristic exoskeleton allowing him to walk.
Kevin Piette's story is much different from many of the other torchbearers. According to the Olympic website's profile on him, Piette was left paralyzed 11 years ago by an accident.
But over the past decade, Piette has continued as an athlete, becoming a para-athlete who competes in a number of sports.
Piette, now 36, was spotted Tuesday, days before the 2024 Games' Opening Ceremony, using a high-tech exoskeleton to walk the torch closer to Paris.
Video of his walk was put on X, formerly Twitter, where it drew widespread awe.
"I can't seem to stop watching this," one commenter wrote.
Kevin Piette, paraplegic since an accident, made history today by carrying the Olympic flame with his exoskeleton! 💪
The exoskeleton is a large black metal contraption strapped on to Piette's legs, back and torso. According to Olympics organizers, it was designed to help those with disabilities walk, and is currently used in rehab activities.
As one of the device's first testers, Piette has competed in "cybathlons," where athletes use assistive tech like the exoskeleton to carry out everyday activities.
The company that makes the device, Wandercraft, posted about the torchbearer on Instagram, praising his commitment to sports using their equipment.
"He has practiced several different sports like boxing, darts, pingpong or tennis since he started using Atalante," Wandercraft's post reads. "Kevin is full of joy and positivity, and always cheers up the WanderTeam."
The rapper will be one of the last to carry the Olympic torch during its final stretch ahead of Friday's Opening Ceremony.
Snoop Dogg, 52, will carry the torch Friday through the northern Paris suburb of Saint-Denis, the town's mayor, Mathieu Hanotin, said on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Beyond his torchbearer duties, Snoop will be in Paris as a correspondent for NBC's coverage of the Olympic Games. He posted a photo announcing his arrival in Paris on Tuesday with the caption: "U ready? Paris 2024 Olympics ya digggg"
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