Christie Dawes (née Skelton, born 3 May 1980) is an Australian Paralympic wheelchair racing athlete. She has won three medals in athletics at seven Paralympics from 1996 to 2021.

Personal

When she was young, Dawes was very interested in athletics. At the age of 10, she was in a car accident. She survived, but became a paraplegic. Christie continued in her career in athletics, but also took up the job of a primary school teacher. She is married to her coach Andrew Dawes and their son was born in 2011. where she was awarded the 1996 Young Paralympian of the Year Award. She also competed in the 800 m wheelchair demonstration event at the 2004 Athens Olympics.

She competed in the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games, coming fifth in the Women's 800 m EAD T54 event.

Dawes competed in the 2008 Summer Paralympics in Beijing, and was one of several competitors caught up in a crash during the final of the women's 5000 m T54 wheelchair event, eventually finishing sixth despite a broken front wheel. The race was re-run, and Dawes spoke out against the treatment of Canadian athlete Diane Roy, who had been awarded the gold medal in the event, only to have it taken back and replaced with a silver medal when she finished second in the re-run. Dawes won a silver medal at the Women's 4x100 m T53/54 event at the Beijing games. In February 2010, Dawes won the 10 km world wheelchair road race championships in the United Arab Emirates.

thumb|right|Dawes at the 2012 London Paralympics

thumb|right|Dawes at the 2012 London Paralympics

After giving birth to her son in February 2011, she won three bronze medals at the 2011 National Titles in April. She then won a silver medal in the Chicago Marathon and came fourth in the New York City Marathon. At the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games, she came fourth in the 1500 m T54.

At the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Paralympics, she competed in four events and medalled in one. Christie, Angie Ballard, Madison de Rozario and Jemima Moore placed 3rd in the relay but were disqualified, before successfully appealing the decision and being reinstated to 2nd.

Dawes then competed at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics held in 2021, coming 8th in the Marathon T54.

At the 2022 Commonwealth Games, she finished 5th in the Women's Marathon T54.

Dawes announced that the Cape Town Marathon in South Africa in May 2026 would be her last professional race.

References

  • Christine 'Christie' DAWES (Skelton) at Australian Athletics Historical Results
  • (2004, 2008, 2012, 2016)
  • (1996, 2000)