Louise Sauvage was born with a severe congenital spinal condition called myelomeningocele, which inhibits the function of the lower half of the body. She is considered to be the most renowned disabled sportswoman in Australia.

Apart from winning four Boston Marathons, she has won nine Paralympic gold medals and four silvers in wheelchair racing and many more in other competitions.

She holds world records in the 1500m, 5000m and 4x100m and 4x400m relays and was named the Australian Female Athlete of the Year in 1999, and International Female Wheelchair Athlete of the Year in 1999 and 2000.