Kristina Vogel drives with a new vehicle adaptation from PARAVAN

A life in the fast lane - and suddenly everything changes: Kristina Vogel has had to use a wheelchair since a training accident in 2018. Now, the Olympic track cycling champion and dedicated inclusion ambassador is using a customized vehicle solution from PARAVAN for the first time - another step on her path to more self-determination and freedom.

A life can change in an instant. For Kristina Vogel, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and 17-time world track cycling champion, a training accident in June 2018 meant just that - a profound change in her life plans. She has been confined to a wheelchair ever since. But giving up was never an option for this passionate athlete. For her, mobility remained not only a practical aspect of everyday life, but a key to empowerment.

Vehicle customization meets courage to face life

The green accents on her new vehicle not only add a stylish touch, but also make a clear statement: this car is more than just a means of transportation - it is a statement of freedom and independence. It is accompanied by the words "We Love Cycling" - a message that not only pays tribute to her sporting background, but also reflects her passion for movement and forward thinking.

For Kristina Vogel, riding a bike is more than just getting around - it is part of her independence. But after her accident, that bridge was destroyed. "You always build bridges in life," she says. "I have a problem and a solution, and I build a bridge in my head to connect the two. How do I get up? How do I drive a car?" Those bridges had to be rebuilt - one step at a time.

Together with Škoda Germany, PARAVAN has now realized a customized vehicle solution: Kristina Vogel steers her new Škoda Superb Combi with a hand control for the accelerator and brake - supplemented by an integrated multifunction switch with which she can operate the turn signals, lights, hazard warning lights, windshield wipers and horn. The system is supported by a hand knob on the steering wheel. She loads her wheelchair into the passenger seat by herself - mobility at eye level.

"Driving with a hand throttle is a bit like driving a motorboat," she says with a smile. "When I push the handle down, I accelerate - when I push it forward, I brake." Everyday life presents many challenges that the technology takes into account, such as an electric tailgate, auxiliary heating, or the ability to control all major functions at the touch of a button. "Scratching the windshield is also a bit difficult," she says with a wink.

In the midst of life - on new paths

"I have to say that my life changed 180 degrees from one moment to the next - if that's even enough," says Kristina Vogel, looking back. "One second I'm the best cyclist in the world, and the next I'm like a little broken bird, asking myself: how can I live in a wheelchair? But instead of retiring, she decided to stay involved in the sport, albeit in a new role. After successfully completing her training at the coaching academy of the German Olympic Sports Federation, she now works as a trainer for the German Federal Police. As a TV expert, she accompanies the Olympic Games, 2021 in Tokyo and, most recently, 2024 in Paris. Her voice is now in demand far beyond the world of sport: she writes books, gives lectures, and is a strong advocate for inclusion and against discrimination.

On the day of the vehicle handover, her schedule is also packed. Her first longer trip in the new Škoda Superb will take her to Frankfurt for the Deutsche Sporthilfe Sports Ball. Another trip is already planned: "I'm getting married this year. Then this will be my wedding car," she says with a laugh, looking lovingly at the car. "I still have to figure out how I'm going to decorate it.

With her openness, energy and courage, Kristina Vogel is a role model - not only in sport, but also in life. We are proud to be a part of her journey.