Champion Paralympian

Louise Savage is one of the world’s most outstanding athletes and Australia’s most successful Paralympian. It is her performance at four Paralympic Games that speaks volumes about her excellence, claiming multiple victories in both sprint and long distance events including the marathon. A Word Record Holder, World Champion and Gold Medallist, Louise is Australia’s premier track athlete. A truly inspiring and powerful speaker.

Louise Sauvage is one of the most celebrated athletes in Australian sporting history.

About Louise

A four 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-claimed gold in the 100 metres at the World Championships in Assen.

However it is Louise’s record at 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 Ceremony and inspired by a large home crowd, Louise claimed gold in both the 1500 and 5000 metres. She also tasted victory at the Olympic Games having won gold in the 800-metre demonstration event.

Australian Paralympian of the Year

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 (92), Louise Sauvage has certainly graced the realms of sporting folklore as one of our nation’s finest.

At her Paralympic farewell in Athens, Sauvage won silver in the 400 and 800 metres, adding further accolades to her amazing 14-year international career.

Honours Include

• 2000 International Female Wheelchair Athlete of the Year, World Sportsperson of the Year With A Disability
• 1999 International Female Wheelchair Athlete of the Year, Australian Female Athlete of the Year
• 1998 Australian Paralympian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year.
• 1997 Australian Paralympian of the Year, Australian Institute of Sport Athlete of the Year
• 1993 ABC Sports Star of the Year
• 1992 Order of Australia Medal

Paralympic Results

• 2000 Sydney Gold 1500m, 5000m, Silver 800m
  
• 1996 Atlanta Gold 400m, 800m, 1500m, 5000m
  
• 1992 Barcelona Gold 100m, 200m, 400m, Silver 800m

Olympic Games

• 2000 Sydney Gold 800m
  
• 1996 Atlanta Gold 800m

Recent Achievements

• 2001 Australia Day Marathon 10km 1st
  
• 2000 Sampach Marathon 42km 1st
  
• 1999 Honolulu Marathon 42km 1st
  
• 1999 Boston Marathon 42km 1st 

Presentation Topics Include

• A four time Paralympian
• Over-coming barriers and challenges in life
• Hard work ethic

Testimonials

“Louise Sauvage is an amazing Role Model in any walk of life. A great athlete with determination to achieve." 
Kormilda College

“Congress was a great success and your contribution ensured this. We are very pleased with the response with 1,400 delegates attending the conference over the two days which is a record attendance for the South Australian Division." 
CPA Congress

“Louise was fantastic. Her speech was inspirational in the extreme and she was such a wonderful good sport. She brought one of her Gold Medals along and offered to pose for photos and ended up staying right through morning tea posing for photos with delegates...they all thought she was fantastic!" 
Health Services Union