Louise Sauvage

Sport: Athletics
Events: 800m, 1500m & 5000m
Club: NSW Wheelchair Sports
Date of Birth: 18 September 1973
Height: Short
Age: 28

Louise Sauvage is a professional athlete who has dominated the world of wheelchair track and road racing for the past decade.

Amongst her exhaustive list of achievements are nine Paralympic gold medals, two Olympic gold medals, four Boston Marathon wins (out of nine BMs) and she holds world records in the 1500m, 5000m and 4x100m and 4x400m relays.

She has at some stage held the record in every event bar the 400m.

She first competed at the age of 18 in the Barcelona Paralympic Games where she won three gold and a silver medal, (100m, 200m, 400m, 800m) followed this up in Atlanta with four gold medals (400, 800, 1500 and 5000) and won gold in the 1500m and 5000m in Sydney and a silver in the 800m.

Captain Capsicum was overwhelmed when told he was chosen to interview Louise and raced to it….

Captain Capsicum:
Hi Louise, thank you so much for taking the time today, it’s an absolute pleasure to meet you. You are so well accomplished and successful, that I was wondering, who has been the toughest opponent?
Louise Sauvage:
Jean Driscoll as I have raced her many many times in the Boston Marathon.

Captain Capsicum:
What about your worst ever injury?
Louise Sauvage:
My left elbow, which does not seem to get any better. It was at its worst during the 2001 Boston Marathon and the 2000 Paralympics. I do manage it now through regular physio.

Captain Capsicum:
Gosh and you did so well at those events, although it must have been really hard because your arms are so important in wheelchair racing. Best of luck with the physio. What do you think has been your biggest achievement in Athletics?
Louise Sauvage:
It is very difficult to pick one as I have been competing at the international level for almost 10 years now, but winning the 98 Boston marathon and winning gold at the 2000 Olympics and Paralympics are certainly highlights.

Captain Capsicum:
They were definitely amazing wins – I was glued to the TV during those races. Have you ever had a losing streak?
Louise Sauvage:
Not really, but I have had some flat times. I think all athletes do at some stage.

Captain Capsicum:
You’re right about that, but how do you overcome these hard times?
Louise Sauvage:
I really try and refocus on my goals and reassess my training with my coach. You have to have smaller goals along the way to reaching the ultimate goal. Good communication with your coach and colleagues is also the key to getting back on track.

Captain Capsicum:
Communication is very important, and so is eating the right energy food. What are your favourite fruits?
Louise Sauvage:
Banana, Mango and Apples

Captain Capsicum:
So what are your favourite vegetables?
Louise Sauvage:
Peas, Broccoli, Mushrooms and Potatoes.

Captain Capsicum:
You’ve forgotten to say capsicums….What would you say is your favourite food in general?
Louise Sauvage:
Ice Cream.

Captain Capsicum:
Louise, if you hadn’t turned out to be one of the world’s greatest athlete’s what do you think you would have chosen to do as a career?
Louise Sauvage:
I am not sure but I have always loved sport, so maybe I would still be involved but in a different way - who knows?

Captain Capsicum:
What do you like to do in your spare time?
Louise Sauvage:
I like to take my dog Penny for a walk and I also like to go to the movies and see live bands.

Captain Capsicum:
You are a hero to so many people, so who is your hero?
Louise Sauvage:
My hero is Heinz Frei. Heinz is an awesome wheelchair track and field athlete from Switzerland. He is the best in the world mainly over the longer distances and is just a really nice guy.

Captain Capsicum:
Do you have any nicknames?
Louise Sauvage:
Lewis

Captain Capsicum:
Well Lewis, what do you think is the best thing about playing sport?
Louise Sauvage:
Being fit and active, having fun and making friends along the way.

Captain Capsicum:
And what was the best thing about competing in Athletics?
Louise Sauvage:
For me the best thing is the actual competition I like to compete and to do all the training and to know it has all paid off. It’s very satisfying.

Captain Capsicum:
What is your favourite motto?
Louise Sauvage:
You never know what you can do or achieve until you try.

Captain Capsicum:
That’s absolutely true Louise, thank you very much for chatting with me and for being so inspirational. All the best for all of your races to come!