Sport for Women

Louise Sauvage

Type: Player/Athlete
Sports: Wheelchair track and road
Location: Australia

Louise Sauvage made her Paralympic debut, representing Australia at the 1992 Barcelona Paralympic Games - winning three gold (100m, 200m, 400m) and one silver medal (800m).

Atlanta was not only a hugely successful Paralympic campaign for Sauvage, taking four gold medals (400m, 800, 1500m 5000m), but it also saw her make her Olympic debut contesting the 800m wheelchair race demonstration event, also winning gold.

In front of her home crowd at the Sydney 2000 Olympics, Sauvage defended her 800m wheelchair title. She then went on to win two gold (1500m, 5000m) and one silver (800m) at the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games.

Athens 2004 saw the final Olympic and Paralympic campaigns for the champion racer, taking bronze in the Olympic 800m wheelchair event and two silver medals (400m, 800m) at the Paralympic Games. Via olympics.com.au

Top 100 Sportsowomen Nomination

Louise is just awesome, inspiring and that just about sums her up.

- Jason
Photo: © Nick Wilson/ALLSPORT

Louise Sauvage in the News

Q & A

Greatest sporting achievement: Winning gold at the 2000 Olympics and Paralympics. Winning the 1998 Boston Marathon.

Greatest achievement off the field: Completing a post grad certificate at Uni.

Who is your sporting heroine? Hmmm maybe Shelly Taylor Smith

How many hours per week to you train/exercise? I am retired now but I used to train 6 days a weeks with 9-11 sessions a week.

What kind of diet or nutrition plan are you on? I used to have a low fat diet and lots of fruit and veggies. The main thing was to have lots of variety.

What do you love about your sport? I love the speed, the tactics and of course the winning. I love to see how far I can push myself both physically and mentally. It’s also a lot of fun and I travelled a lot internationally making new friends and seeing the sights of the world.

If you could change something about your sport, what would it be? I would like to see my sport and sport for athletes with a disability in general get more media coverage and sponsorship. I would also like to see more education about sport for athletes with a disability.

What motivates you? Winning! I like to be fit and healthy and sport is a fantastic way of doing it.

Do you have a profession outside of your sport? I am a coach and I work with the only wheelchair track and road program in the country at the NSW Institute of Sport. I also do some motivational speaking and personal training.

Three words that describe you: Determined, stubborn, goal orientated

If I wanted to play your sport, what advice would you give me? Never ever stop pushing up a hill! I would encourage you to come and try my sport and give it a good go and help you with the right equipment.

Louise Sauvage Supports Sport for Women Day

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