Athletes

Currently a Sport Marketing Consultant and Motivational Speaker, Anne Audain was a pioneer for female track and field competitors. She was born in1955 in Auckland, New Zealand, with severe bone deformities of both feet. Audain didn't walk correctly until re-constructive surgery at age 13. Remarkably, three years later, she qualified for the 1972 Munich Olympic Games in the 1500m, which began her unbelievable run of Olympic success. From 1972 to 1992, Audain qualified in every distance from the 800m to the marathon. The middle of that impressive period is where Audain is most remembered. She pioneered professionalism for female track and field competitors by accepting prize money at the first professional event in 1981 which resulted in a “temporary” lifetime ban from the sport. In 1982, she set a World Record for the 5000m with a time of 15:13.22. She also experienced success at the Commonwealth Games, winning gold at the 3000m and silver in 1982 and 1986 respectively. It's safe to say Audain was a dominant force in the 1980s, winning more USA road races (75) than any other male or female runner in that decade. Her great athletic contributions have truly expanded to off the track. In 1991, Audain founded the Anne Audain Charitable Trust to support “at risk” youth in her birthplace of Auckland, New Zealand. Two years later, Audain founded the “Celebration 5K” in Boise, Idaho, which is now the largest run /walk for women and children in the USA. For her achievements on and off the track, Audain was honored by Queen Elizabeth II of England with a Member of the British Empire award in1995. She continued to show her immeasurable heart in 2000, when she launched the Anne Audain Scholarship Awards which fund college scholarships for young women balancing academics, sports, leadership and community endeavors.
Few know that before Anne Audain was a household name in running, she was a household name in the homes of her grade school students in the Auckland School District. In 1975, she graduated from Auckland Teachers College with honors. Then she taught at the elementary level for 4 years before arriving in the USA to further her sporting career Anne always wanted to teach because she believed in giving children the self-esteem necessary to reach their goals and dreams.
Today she relies on her running experiences and other accomplishments to teach through her motivational speaking and other activities. Her speaking engagements include those at Indiana University, Purdue University, U of Evansville, Vincennes University, Case Western University, Delta Airlines, KeyBank, Pepsi Co., Nike Concept Stores and the Women's Sports Foundation.

For more information on Anne, check out her website at: http://www.anneaudain.com/index2.htm