In early December, it was announced that EdmoLift UK Ltd. had won the Platform Lifts and Stairway Chairlifts category of Elevator World's Project of the Year 2025 competition. The award, an Ellie, is comparable to the Oscars of the elevator industry. This with the diving platform project for the Paris Olympics. 
 

A lift for the Paris Olympics

The entry submitted to Elevator World's Project of the Year competition was the solution EdmoLift UK provided for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The need was born out of limited space in the new Olympic Aquatic Center. Therefore, a solution was proposed whereby three international competition standard diving platforms (1m, 2m and 3m) would be integrated into a single height-adjustable platform lift - reducing the space from three individual spaces to one. A 66% saving in floor space. The assignment was led by Darren Papani, Managing Director of EdmoLift UK Ltd who says:

This project was very unique and different, a big project that has been going on for two years. It felt like it deserved some kind of recognition. That's why I submitted it to the Project of the Year competition organized by Elevator World.
 

Innovation, expertise and teamwork

EdmoLift UK and its sister company Lyfthaus have a long history of manufacturing bespoke products for different environments, using the scissor lift platforms manufactured in Härnösand as a base. The architects behind the brand-new Aquatics Center had researched online and found EdmoLift UK, with whom they chose to collaborate in the development and manufacture of the platform. Drawing on EdmoLift's expertise in lifting platforms for both goods and people and the specialist knowledge of competition diving platform experts, including former competition divers, the design was formalized over almost a year.

The end result was to be a super-stable, three-level, height-adjustable platform that divers could warm up for competition dives in a foam practice pit. All to mimic a regular diving platform. In addition, there would be a competition-standard barrier system, identical to that used internationally, as well as a staircase that could also be adjusted in height to provide easy access to each level.

Six months before the Games began in July 2024, production started. After seven days of installation by EdmoLift fitters, the platform lift was completed and ready for its first Olympic divers.

World-class delivery

This smart lifting solution earned EdmoLift UK first place in the Platform Lifts and Stairway Chairlifts category. Darren says the EdmoLift team didn't know he had submitted the entry, but it was a team effort with everyone involved, so it was great to take home the award and be able to share the win.

The jury consisted of six judges and in Elevator World's weekly industry newsletter of December 4, 2024, they write that all entries were outstanding and that it was difficult to select the final winners with entries from companies in Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East and North America. Despite this, the EdmoLift UK project stood out.

I didn't think we would win, but it's fantastic. We frequently make lifts for disabled people, but nothing like this has ever won an award and I think it was just such an unusual application that caught the judges' attention, says Darren.

EdmoLift UK's win is not only a testament to the company's technical know-how but also of their ability to deliver innovative solutions in the biggest arenas. With the Olympic project as a shining example, we look forward to EdmoLift continuing to set the standard for future lifting solutions - both in sporting events and other industries.

We have been in contact afterwards and the platform has since been used by French school children practicing diving at different levels. This solution will last for many years to come. I also see that there will be several uses for such an application, and we are extremely proud of this award, Darren concludes.