Three consecutive Olympic 100m freestyle golds — the only swimmer to achieve this in the same event.
Dawn Fraser was born in Balmain, Sydney in 1937. She won three consecutive Olympic gold medals in the 100m freestyle — 1956, 1960 and 1964 — the only swimmer to win the same event at three consecutive Olympics. She set 39 world records. She was banned from swimming for ten years by Swimming Australia following the Tokyo Games after reportedly taking a flag from outside Emperor Hirohito's palace and cycling through the streets. The ban was lifted after four years. She is the most celebrated figure in Australian swimming history.
First woman to swim 100m freestyle under 1 minute
How They Played
Sprint freestyle specialist with exceptional starts and powerful stroke technique
Lasting Impact
Australia's greatest female swimmer and first swimmer to win same event at three consecutive Olympics
Olympic Gold 4x (100m freestyle 3x, relay 1x)
Career Honours
- Olympic Gold 4x (100m freestyle 3x, relay 1x)
- World Record 39 times