Katrina Webb

Katrina Webb
Personal information
Full name Katrina Lea Webb
Nationality  Australia
Born 22 May 1977

Katrina Lea Webb-Denis, OAM[1] (born 22 May 1977)[2] is an Australian Paralympic athlete with cerebral palsy.[2] She has won Gold, Silver and Bronze medals in athletics at three Paralympic Games.[3]

Personal

Webb waves to the crowd as she runs during the torch relay at the Opening Ceremony of the 2000 Summer Paralympics
Webb autographs an Australian flag for school children fans at the 2000 Summer Paralympics

Webb has a mild form of cerebral palsy which was diagnosed when she was two years old. Her parents did not tell her of the disability.[4] Her cerebral palsy was diagnosed again when she won an Australian Institute of Sport netball scholarship. AIS staff found a weakness in her right leg, which was shorter than her left leg. She was then encouraged to become involved in disability sport.[4] After winning the 100m at the 1996 Atlanta Games, she faced criticism over her legitimacy to compete at the Games.[4]

She has a physiotherapy degree from the University of South Australia. Her father Darryl played league football for North Adelaide Football Club. Her cousins are Olympic basketballer Rachael Sporn and AFL players Kieran and Trent Sporn.[5] She married former Australian Olympic water polo player Eddie Denis. Her first child Sebastian Zavier Denis was born on December 27 2007.[6]

She was the first torch bearer to enter the Olympic Stadium for the Opening Ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games. In 2006 Katrina was selected to present on behalf of the International Paralympic Committee to the United Nations in New York.

Athletic Achievements

Australian athlete Katrina Webb congratulates fellow athlete Amy Winters at the 1996 Atlanta Paralympic Games

References

  1. 1 2 "Webb, Katrina Lea, OAM". It's an Honour. Retrieved 13 January 2012.
  2. 1 2 "Australians at the 1996 Atlanta Paralympics: Athletes". Australian Sports Commission. Archived from the original on 20 January 2000. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
  3. 1 2 3 "Athlete Search Results". International Paralympic Committee. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  4. 1 2 3 Golden days of Atlanta : Xth Paralympic Games Atlanta, Georgia, August 15–25, 1996. Sydnrey: Australian Paralympic Federation. 1996. p. 8.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Katrina Webb". Athletics Australia Athlete Profiles. Retrieved 15 February 2012.
  6. "December births". Aussie bub blog. Retrieved 15 February 2012.
  7. "Webb, Katrina Lea: Australian Sports Medal". It's an Honour. Retrieved 13 January 2012.
  8. "Webb, Katrina Lea: Centenary Medal". It's an Honour. Retrieved 13 January 2012.
  9. "Sullivan equals Paralympic greats". The Age. 28 September 2004. Retrieved 13 January 2012.

External links

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