Oscar Pistorius was a household name in some Orange County circles well before he strapped on his prosthetic blades in the 400-meter trials in London.
The first double-amputee in Olympic history has been sponsored by the Icelandic parent of Össur Americas in Foothill Ranch for more than four years.
Össur, which designs and makes some of its prosthetic limbs and orthopedic devices locally, joined OC-based companies playing big roles at the Olympic festivities this month.
Some make sunglasses and swim gear, while others supply identification credentials or make products assisting with cleanup efforts.
Such partnerships help create global brand awareness and potentially boost product sales.
More than 600 athletes at the Summer Games are expected to don eyewear or other products made by Foothill Ranch-based Oakley Inc., the official licensee for the U.S. Olympic Team and Team Great Britain. Oakley has been involved with Olympic athletes since 1998, but the 2012 games marked the first time it became an official sponsor of the U.S. Olympic Committee.
“This further drives our sports authenticity,” said Scott Bowers, Oakley’s senior vice president of marketing and brand development.
The environmental cleanup work of San Clemente-based Regenesis Bioremediation Products Inc. at London’s Olympic Park has gained a little extra attention this month.
The cleanup project of the Olympic Park involved more than 500 acres of former industrial land, and a cleanup and renovation of the London Aquatics Centre, where some 25,000 spectators watched swimmer Michael Phelps become the most decorated Olympian in history and Colorado teen Missy Franklin reach stardom in and out of the pool.
Santa Ana-based Identive Group Inc. supplied some 100,000 near-field communication tags enabling visitors to make cashless purchases.
Huntington Beach-based Turbo USA, the U.S. unit for its Spanish parent Turbo, outfitted U.S. Olympic Water Polo teams with water polo suits, caps, robes, warm-up gear and other apparel.
Fifteen athletes rode Felt Bicycles from the Irvine-based manufacturer, including cycling gold medalist Kristin Armstrong and two-time silver medalists Sarah Hammer.
“Bike racing is one of those sports that doesn’t get the day-to-day attention but in the Olympics really shines,” said Doug Martin, Felt’s sports marketing director. “It’s worldwide awareness we can’t get anywhere else.”
The bicycles used by Armstrong and Hammer can be bought at the company’s 750 independent dealers for about $12,500.
Perhaps no other Olympian left an indelible impression as Pistorius, who failed to qualify for the 400-meter final but captured the hearts of viewers far beyond London’s Olympic Stadium.
