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Date of Birth: October 24, 1986 Amputation Level: Knee-disarticulation  Main Events: 100m Sprint, Long Jump  Competitive Class: T42 / F42 Össur Products: Flex-Foot Cheetah® (opens in a new window)* Nationality: The Netherlands

Marije Smits is the youngest Team Össur member. Nominated for 'disabled athlete of the year' in 2003 in her home country, the Netherlands, Marije has participated at the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens. This is even more of an achievement when you consider that it was only seven years ago when a tumor was discovered in her right leg, sadly a cancerous growth that led to a through-the-knee amputation.

"I never dreamed that I could ever run again, but I thought maybe I could take part in wheelchair sports," explains Marije. "I talked to my prosthetist and he began to open my eyes to all sorts of new opportunities."
So, with the encouragement and support of her prosthetist she started dropping by her local athletic club. The idea was to get fit again and learn how to run on her prosthesis.

Long Jump was the other track and field event that Marije fell in love with. Fired up with the will to win, Marije won a gold medal at the World Championships in Lille in 2002. Struggling with an old, borrowed prosthesis at that time, she still managed to get within 1cm of the world record at that time.
Without Össur's sponsorship I could not have had a sports prosthesis. I really believe in Össur's motto, and I think everyone should have a Life Without Limitations."

As the European Championships unfolded in 2003 in Assen, the Netherlands, Össur prosthetists saw a remarkable young woman, full of life and achieving her goals. In addition to a new junior world record in the Long Jump (3.13m), Marije also went home with a silver medal for the 100m sprint (T42 class).
"I have a Cheetah foot now," said Marije. "As well as the Long Jump and the 100m, I would love to compete in the 200m, but we need more female athletes in the above-knee category who want to take part internationally."

Competitive Highlights: