As the youngest member of the Australian athletics team, Erinn Walters has a blossoming career ahead of her. Known for her determination and dislike for failure, at just 16 Erinn has already enjoyed sprinting success at a national level in the T35 class, and heads to London confident in her abilities.

Erinn, who has cerebral palsy, was born prematurely, weighing in at just 900 grams. Described by her father as a fighter, she first tried running after it was recommended by her physiotherapist. At the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games, Erinn met Louise Sauvage and watched her race. She began dreaming of one day competing at a Paralympic Games and representing Australia.

What started out as a healthy past time soon became Erinn’s raison d’être. At the 2008 National Championships, she won gold in the T35 100m, 200m and 400m and now trains six days a week in Canberra. She has also attended several training sessions at the AIS with the Paralympic athletics squad.

Despite suffering a burst appendix in 2010, putting Erinn out of action for four months, she returned to compete at the 2011 World Championships. At her first competition in national colours, Erinn finished sixth in the 100m and fourth in the 200m. She finished behind close friend and racing rival Rachel Dodd, who was one of the stars in Christchurch.

Continuing her drive and passion for sport, she would like to pursue a career in the industry once she has completed school and achieved her goals in athletics. Off the track, Erinn enjoys horse riding and was a member of the local Riding for the Disabled club before giving it away to focus on athletics. She attends a bilingual school in Canberra and speaks both French and Spanish.