Louise Sauvage OAM - Three Time Paralympian
"You never know what you can do or achieve
until you try."
Louise Sauvage is one of the most celebrated athletes in Australian sporting history.
A three time Paralympian, Louise has dominated wheelchair racing over the past decade claiming titles in everything from the marathon to short sprints. She is without doubt Australia's premier track athlete.
Originally from Western Australia, Louise began her international dominance as far back as 1990 when at age 16 she claimed gold in the 100 metres at the World Championships in Assen.
However it is Louise's record at the Paralympic Games that speaks for itself. At the 1992 Paralympics in Barcelona she claimed a hat-trick of gold medals, taking victory in the 100, 200 and 400 metres as well as picking up silver in the 800.
In 1996 at Atlanta things just got better for Louise. Her brute strength and fierce determination guiding her to gold in the 800 metre demonstration event at the Atlanta Olympic Games, then onto to a clean sweep at the Paralympics only days later. Louise overcoming fellow track competitors in several longer distance events: the 400, 800, 1500 and 5000 metres.
At the 2000 Paralympics in Sydney, Louise once again confirmed her status as one of the world's finest wheelchair athletes. Having been chosen to light the cauldron at the Paralympic Opening Cermony and inspired by a large home crowd, Louise claimed gold in both the 1500 and 5000 metres and silver in the 800 metres. She also tasted victory at the Olympic Games having won gold in the 800 metre demonstration event.
Australian Paralympian of the Year in 1994, 1996, 1997 and 1998, Louise has also had considerable success competing in road events having recorded outstanding wins in the prestigious Boston, Los Angeles, Berlin and Honolulu Marathons.
Having won an extraordinary number of awards including the 1998 Young Australian of the Year in a sports category, the 1999 Australian Female Athlete of the Year, and being bestowed with an Order of Australia Medal, Louise Sauvage has certainly graced the realms of sporting folklore as one of our nation's finest.
These days, while still training and competing, Louise is finding time for activities away from sport, such as public speaking - translating the messages of her life as a professional athlete to the business arena. "I talk about the need for people to set achievable goals, and about getting help and support along the way as they chase after those goals. Its so easy to relate sport back to business."
Louise's speaking engagements are exclusively managed by Elite Sports Properties - to contact please use the enquiries form (ESP website).
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