Citra Powers Paralympic Champion Austin Smeenk: A Partnership Forged in Innovation

Citra is incredibly proud to announce its sponsorship of Canadian Paralympic gold medalist Austin Smeenk, a true embodiment of innovation and relentless pursuit of excellence. Austin captivated the world at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, securing a gold medal in the 800m and a bronze in the 100m. His remarkable achievements on the global stage mirror the very spirit that drives Citra’s pioneering Building Technology.

What truly resonated with Citra was Austin’s unique, engineering-driven approach to his sport. With a background in electromechanical engineering, Austin doesn’t just train; he optimizes his racing chair with the precision of a skilled engineer. These high-performance chairs, critical for optimal speed, are custom-built to each athlete’s unique physiology. Austin’s expertise allows him to personally design and iterate on specific parts, collaborating closely with his engineering team to ensure every detail – from ergonomics to biomechanics – is precisely tuned for peak performance. This hands-on, technologically advanced approach is a direct reflection of his commitment to continuous improvement, a value deeply embedded in Citra’s DNA and our proprietary building processes.

At Citra, innovation isn’t just a buzzword; it’s the core of our leading technology and every solution we develop. We empower our team to be bold, to explore new frontiers, and to constantly push the boundaries of what’s possible. Our commitment to creating more durable, sustainable, and cost-effective housing solutions through our advanced technology directly parallels Austin’s methodical pursuit of marginal gains and breakthrough performance.

Austin continuously experiments with various race strategies and the technical variables of his equipment. “I’m currently working on optimizing my own biomechanics and finding more efficiency given my natural physiology,” Austin explains. “From a technical perspective, this means experimenting with the variables of tire height and push rim size. I need to optimize my acceleration in my short-distance sprint events so that I hit peak velocity sooner.” This dedication to refining every technical aspect of his performance is a testament to the mindset Citra applies to perfecting our own innovative solutions.

As he gears up for the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships, Austin shared his excitement: “I’m really excited to tailor my training and equipment setup specifically for the 100m now. It’s an exciting next step, and I can’t wait to share that journey. The world championship is only four months away now, and I look forward to progressing towards it with Citra alongside.”

Citra’s decision to sponsor Austin Smeenk is more than just a partnership; it’s a natural alignment of shared values and a mutual dedication to technological advancement. Just as Austin continually innovates and pushes the boundaries of what’s possible in his sport through applied engineering, Citra is dedicated to transforming the way we build with its groundbreaking Citra Building Technology.