Olympic Bronze Medallist 20km Walk
After leading a team of 427 athletes with the Australian flag in front of a billion people at last year’s Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony Jane went on to win gold in the 20km walk becoming only the second Australian ever to win three consecutive Commonwealth Games gold medals in the same event! Jane won the 20km race walk at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester and the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpar. Jane’s international career has spanned seventeen years and includes Olympic bronze, three consecutive Commonwealth Games gold, world junior silver, representation of Australia at World, World Cups and in 2000 breaking legendary Kerry Saxby-Junna’s long-standing 20km Australian record. Jane recorded the fastest time ever by an Australian woman in international competition in 2003 and clocked a new Australian Record in 2005. Amazingly Jane last year claimed her tenth national title! Jane’s radiant smile lit up the nation as she won an Olympic bronze medal at the recent Athens 2004 Olympic Games. She released tears of joy during the medal ceremony following four long but brave years since Sydney. Jane was ranked the number one female race walker in the world by the IAAF in 2004 and received the 2004 NSWIS Outstanding Achievement Award. At the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, millions of people around the world watched as Jane powered towards the Olympic Stadium in the gold medal position of the women’s 20km walk. However, in a cruel twist of fate, the cheers of the 80,000 strong crowd and those watching from home turned to silence and disbelief as Jane, a mere 150m from a certain gold medal, was disqualified. Jane won international praise for her outstanding sportsmanship. Sports Illustrated rated Jane’s sportsmanship in their Top Ten Olympic Moments, stating that “Saville refused to belittle the officials or any of the women who stood on the podium when she was unable to do so. For that she should walk tall”. Further recognition gained by Jane includes the Victorian AOC Spirit of the Olympics Award, selection as a finalist in the Australian Hall of Fame “The Don” Award for the Athlete who most inspired the nation and the 2002 Walker of the Year Award at the Telstra Athletics Australia Awards Night. As a result of her achievements and her inspirational, passionate and gracious personality, Jane has become an ambassador for life. Jane is an expert on walking for fun and fitness and motivational tips for people of all standards and ages. Jane is focused towards promoting a healthy balanced lifestyle, she recently finished third overall on the 2006 Race Walking Challenge and is looking forward to the 2007 World Championships in Japan. |
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