800 metres Wheelchair, Women

Wheelchair racing was held as a demonstration event on the athletics program at the Olympics beginning in 1984, but it was discontinued after the 2004 Olympics. The women raced 800 metres on the track with eight competitors. Australian Louise Sauvage had won this event in 1996 and 2000, but in Athina, the victory went to Canadian Chantal Petitclerc, with Sauvage placing third behind her teammate Eliza Stankovich. Petitclerc, who lost the use of both legs at age 13 when a barn door fell on her, had one of the most storied Paralympic careers, winning 21 medals, with 13 golds, between 1992-2008.