Katrina Webb

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]

Katrina Webb
Katrina Webb in 1996
Personal information
Full nameKatrina Lea Webb
Nationality Australia
Born (1977-05-22) 22 May 1977
Medal record
Athletics
Paralympic Games
1996 Atlanta 100 m T36-37
1996 Atlanta 200 m T34-37
2004 Athens Women's 400 m T38
1996 Atlanta Long Jump F34-37
2000 Sydney 100 m T38
2000 Sydney 400 m T38
2000 Sydney 200 m T38
IPC Athletics World Championships
1998 BirminghamWomen's Javelin
1998 BirminghamWomen's 100m
1998 BirminghamWomen's 400m
2002 LilleWomen's 100m
2002 LilleWomen's 400m
Commonwealth Games
2006 Melbourne100m

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 27 December 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.

In November 2017, Webb was inducted into the South Australian Sports Hall of Fame.[7]

Athletic achievements
Australian athlete Katrina Webb congratulates fellow athlete Amy Winters at the 1996 Atlanta Paralympic Games
  • 1994 all Australian Netball Squad 17 & under
  • 1995 Australian Institute of Sport Netball Scholarship
  • 1996 Atlanta Paralympic Games: Gold 100m, Gold 200m, Silver Long Jump
  • 1997 Medal of the Order of Australia for her gold medals in Atlanta[1]
  • 1998 IPC Athletics World Championships: Silver 400m, Silver 100m & Gold Javelin & WR [5]
  • 1997–2000 South Australian Athlete Ambassador for Health & Disabilities
  • 2000 Sydney Paralympic Games: Silver 400m, Silver 100m and Bronze 200m;[3] Australian Sports Medal[8]
  • 2001 Centenary Medal[9]
  • 2002 World Athletic Championships: Silver 100m and Silver 400m[5]
  • 2004 New World record for the 200m T38 class
  • 2004 Athens Paralympic Games: Gold 400m[3][10] and Paralympic Record
  • 2004 South Australian Sports Institute Female Athlete of the Year
  • 2005 Australian Institute of Sport Athletics Scholarship Canberra
  • 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games Silver 100m [5]

References
  1. "Webb, Katrina Lea, OAM". It's an Honour. Retrieved 13 January 2012.
  2. "Australians at the 1996 Atlanta Paralympics: Athletes". Australian Sports Commission. Archived from the original on 20 January 2000. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
  3. "Athlete Search Results". International Paralympic Committee. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  4. Golden days of Atlanta : Xth Paralympic Games Atlanta, Georgia, August 15–25, 1996. Sydnrey: Australian Paralympic Federation. 1996. p. 8.
  5. "Katrina Webb". Athletics Australia Athlete Profiles. Retrieved 15 February 2012.
  6. "December births". Aussie bub blog. Archived from the original on 10 February 2012. Retrieved 15 February 2012.
  7. "Six greats take their place in SA Sport Hall of Fame". The Advertiser. 25 November 2017. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
  8. "Webb, Katrina Lea: Australian Sports Medal". It's an Honour. Retrieved 13 January 2012.
  9. "Webb, Katrina Lea: Centenary Medal". It's an Honour. Retrieved 13 January 2012.
  10. "Sullivan equals Paralympic greats". The Age. 28 September 2004. Retrieved 13 January 2012.
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