In a video that captured hearts around the globe, Kevin Piette, a former French tennis player who lost his ability to walk after a bike accident, proudly carried the Olympic Torch.
Shared on X, the video quickly gained over 6.5 million views and nearly 200,000 likes. “Kevin Piette, paraplegic since an accident, made history today by carrying the Olympic flame with his exoskeleton,!” the caption read.
For ten years, Kevin has relied on a wheelchair, but the exoskeleton has given him the ability to stand and walk again. This technology enabled him to participate in the Olympic Torch relay, a moment that shows his resilience and the power of innovation.
The video has garnered widespread admiration. “Dat smile!! Good for him. He should recreate Techno Viking next. That would be a great follow-up to this lifetime experience,” a user commented.
Another user praised, “Flame of Hope: Carrying the Olympic Torch, Kevin symbolizes courage, inclusion, and progress. Let’s cheer Kevin for this remarkable torchbearer!”
“It is so refreshing to see good things in this world. What an accomplishment all the people involved in inventing and making the exoskeleton come alive,” one user remarked. Another suggested, “It would be cheaper to give every paraplegic an exoskeleton than all the modifications to every building to handle wheelchairs.”
In a particularly touching observation, a user noted, “I love how his wife (I assume) is behind him mimicking his steps. This is a happy video, look at his smile!”
Piette’s journey and his role as an Olympic Torch bearer serve as a powerful reminder of human determination and the incredible advancements in technology that can transform lives.