Louise Sauvage OAM
National Coach NSWIS Wheelchair Track and Road Program, NSW Institute of Sport

Olympic Sports Panel Session

Louise Sauvage OAM is recognised and acknowledged for her unique athleticism and outstanding success as a wheelchair track and road athlete. She dominated the sport of wheelchair racing since her appearance at the 1992 Barcelona Paralympic Games, when as an 18 year old, she commenced her reign as 'Queen of the Track,' winning three gold and one silver medals.

During her career, Louise set world records across all distances from 100m to 5000m and recorded victories in some of the world's most prestigious marathons including the Boston, Los Angeles, Berlin and Honolulu Marathons.

Louise won gold in the women's 800m wheelchair demonstration race at the Atlanta Olympic Games. She went on to defend her Olympic gold medal at the Sydney 2000 Games and recorded the fastest qualifying time to compete at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games where she won bronze in the demonstration race.

Louise won nine gold and four silver medals from four Paralympic Games, including four gold medals and two world records at Atlanta in 1996. She won Paralympic gold medals across every distance between 100m and 5000m.

At the Sydney Games in 2000, Louise was given the honour of lighting the Paralympic Cauldron and in 2004 she carried the Australian Flag and led the Australian Team at the Opening Ceremony of the Athens Paralympic Games - her fourth and final games. Louise crossed the finish line in the final race of her illustrious career just as she started her international career - in a personal best time.

The 'Louise Sauvage Pathway' at the Olympic/Paralympic site is a life-time recognition of her contribution to Australian sport.

She is now a well-respected coach with the NSW Institute of Sport, her athletes having achieved Commonwealth Games gold, Paralympic medals, world records and World Championship gold.