Sauvage, Louise (1973–)

views updated

Sauvage, Louise (1973–)

Australian paralympic athlete. Born Sept 18, 1973, with a severe spinal disability, a type of paraplegia, in Perth, Western Australia.

In wheelchair sports, won 9 paralympic gold and 2 silver medals; also won gold medals in 800-meter demonstration events at Atlanta and Sydney Olympics; won the women's wheelchair division, Boston Marathon (1997, 1998, 1999 and 2001); holds world records in the 1,500 meters, 5,000 meters, and 4 × 100-meter and 4 × 440-meter relays. Named Paralympian of the Year (1998).