Who is Dawn Fraser?
Dawn Fraser is an Australian swimming legend who won the 100 metres freestyle at three consecutive Olympic Games, in 1956, 1960 and 1964. She was the first woman to swim 100 metres freestyle in under a minute.
Fraser was born in Balmain, Sydney, in 1937, the youngest of eight children. She learned to swim in the harbor and local pools and was coached by Harry Gallagher.
At the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, she won gold in the 100 metres freestyle and the 4x100 metres freestyle relay. She defended her 100 metres title in Rome in 1960.
Under a minute
In 1962, Fraser became the first woman to swim 100 metres freestyle in under one minute. She held the 100 metres freestyle world record continuously from 1956 until 1972.
At the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, she won the 100 metres freestyle again, becoming the first swimmer to win the same individual event at three consecutive Olympics. She was named Australian of the Year in 1964.
After the Tokyo Games, Fraser was banned from competition for ten years following an incident in which she was accused of taking a flag from the Emperor's Palace. The ban was later reduced, but she did not return to competition. She later served as a member of the New South Wales Parliament.
Did You Know?
Dawn Fraser Baths, a historic harbor pool in Balmain, is named after her.