Behind the Scenes | Paralympic Technology with David Haydon

David Haydon humbly describes his role as a “mechanic” for Australia’s para athletics stars, but the engineer by trade’s technical expertise extends far beyond quick fixes. Working in performance support, he is one of the brains behind fine-tuning equipment for the sport’s biggest names.

In an underrated component of para athletics, Haydon operates behind the scenes to ensure that everything runs smoothly on the biggest stage – handling wheelchairs, throwing frames and prosthetics.

“When I’m away with a team, I’m essentially a mechanic. My role is to make sure that logistics run smoothly with equipment making it to where it needs to be at the right time, and to make sure it’s working when it gets there,” Haydon said.

“Some of the top companies like Orthotec/Sauber and Honda are producing racing chairs worth tens of thousands of dollars now. The equipment itself is really unique, and then we have the component of fitting each athlete with the best setup possible.”

Much like the rest of the performance support team, Haydon relies on the bulk of the work to be done in the preparation for competitions including the Paralympic Games and World Para Athletics Championships, working predominantly with wheelchair racers to customise their setups.

“We work quite closely with the Australian Institute of Sport’s engineering group across a range of areas. Athletes can refine many components of their racing chairs, with the most challenging probably being their position,” Haydon said.

“Their chairs generally come with fixed positions, but we can do a 3D scan of this, convert it to an online model and then make modifications with the athlete and coach to the set-up. Once we are happy, we can implement these modifications using 3D printed parts or by routing foam sections.

“In some cases, once we’ve confirmed the position, we will get the insert made from carbon fibre for increased stiffness but reduced weight.

“Hopefully all the work in terms of improving performance is done beforehand. We also work with athletes and coaches on things like customising their gloves, the push rim size, and  equipment options to reduce the weight of the chair as well.”

Based out of the South Australian Sports Institute, Haydon remains on standby at major championships with spare parts and solutions but says that if everything goes to plan – he is ultimately not called upon.

“Once they have gone through the call room, there’s not much I can do. My job is to get them there as prepared as possible and allow them to do their thing,” Haydon said.

“Athletes are very dependent on their equipment to race. If something goes wrong, their competition may be done.”

Having previously flown in just for events, Haydon is now seconded as Athletics Australia’s Lead in Engineering & Technology (Para), allowing greater progress and collaboration throughout Paralympic cycles.

“I was in Tokyo primarily as the mechanic and not involved as regularly in the lead-up, so to be able to work with the athletes and coaches for the whole Paris cycle has been really nice to share that development and progression,” Haydon said.

More information on Australia’s campaign at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Athletics can be found HERE.

By Lachlan Moorhouse, Athletics Australia
Posted 18/10/2024