Louzanne Coetzee

Started: She took up the sport at age 19 during her first year at the University of the Free State in Bloemfontein, South Africa. "My running story started during my first year at university. I was turning 19 that year. I was asked to compete as a volunteer at the annual athletics meet where I did the 100m, and after that the student who was in charge of sport in my residence felt that I needed to get coaching." (gsport.co.za, 12 May 2021; Athlete, 06 Nov 2019, 16 Jul 2017) Reason: "I was motivated by friends and family, who recognised potential in me." (Athlete, 06 Nov 2019) Ambition: To win gold at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (iol.co.za, 23 Feb 2024) Awards: In 2023 she received the Best Local Sports Hero award at the Best of Bloemfontein Awards in South Africa. (Facebook page, 08 Nov 2023) She was flag bearer for South Africa at the closing ceremony of the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo. (The Insider SA YouTube channel, 11 Feb 2022) She was named Sports Star of the Year [from June 2018 to April 2019] by the Free State Sports Association for the Physically Disabled. (worldkings.org, 14 Sep 2020) In 2018 she received the Free State Sports Star Award. (worldkings.org, 14 Sep 2020) In 2017 she and her guide Khothatso Mokone received a Special Award for Disabled Sport at the KovsieSport Awards. (worldkings.org, 14 Sep 2020) She was named the 2014 Senior Sportswoman of the Year by the Free State Sport Association for the Physically Disabled in South Africa. (bloemfonteincourant.co.za, 30 Jul 2014) Additional Info: OCCUPATION She works as a residence head at the University of Free State in Bloemfontein, South Africa. She previously worked as a research assistant at the university between January 2015 and August 2018. (ufs.ac.za, 17 Jul 2023; LinkedIn profile, 01 Jan 2021) FURTHER EDUCATION She has a master's degree in social cohesion and reconciliation studies from the University of Free State in Bloemfontein, South Africa. In 2023 she obtained a postgraduate diploma in business administration from the same university. (yiba.co.za, 24 Apr 2023; Athlete, 06 Nov 2019) OTHER ACTIVITIES In 2024 she served on the local organising committee of the South African National Para Athletics Championships in Bloemfontein. In 2021 she was elected as a member of the athletes' commission of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee. After the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, she launched the Team Louzanne Coetzee Foundation. "The aim of the foundation is to give back to rural, disadvantaged disabled communities across South Africa and to provide much needed education to the country's aspiring Para athletes. The foundation also aims to empower differently-abled athletes with ample opportunities to compete and get involved in a variety of Para sports where possible." (Facebook page, 22 Feb 2024; louzanne.co.za, 01 Jan 2022; gsport.co.za, 12 May 2021)