Holding 39 records and securing eight Olympic medals, Dawn Fraser stands among the most significant figures in competitive swimming history. Born in 1937 in Balmain, Sydney, she achieved the rare feat of winning the same individual Olympic event—the 100-metre freestyle—at three consecutive Games in 1956, 1960, and 1964.
Early Development and Records
The youngest of eight children, Fraser was discovered at 14 by coach Harry Gallagher while swimming at local harbourside baths. Her dominance in the 100-metre freestyle was absolute, as she held the world record for 15 years, from 1 December 1956 until 8 January 1972. In October 1962, she became the first woman to break the one-minute barrier in the event with a time of 59.9 seconds.
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Take the IQ test →The 1964 Tokyo Olympics and Suspension
During the 1964 Tokyo Games, Fraser drew the ire of the Australian Swimming Union and team sponsors by wearing a non-sanctioned swimsuit and marching in the opening ceremony against official instructions. Following an incident involving an Olympic flag taken from the grounds of the Kōkyo, she was arrested but not charged. The Australian Amateur Swimming Association subsequently imposed a 10-year ban from competitive swimming.
Political and Public Life
Following her swimming career, Fraser worked as a publican at the Riverview Hotel in Balmain. In 1988, she transitioned to politics, winning election as an independent to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly representing Balmain. Her tenure ended in 1991 when the electorate was abolished. She later relocated to Noosa, Queensland, to manage breathing difficulties associated with asthma.
Awards and Recognition
Fraser received the Australian of the Year title in 1964 and was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1965. In 1998, she was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia, and in 2018, she was advanced to a Companion of the Order of Australia. The local pool where she trained in Balmain now bears her name.
Fast facts
- Born: 4 September 1937, Balmain, Sydney
- Olympic Medals: 8 total, 4 gold
- Member of New South Wales Legislative Assembly: 1988-1991
- Companion of the Order of Australia: 2018
- Australian of the Year: 1964
- First woman to swim 100m freestyle under one minute: 1962
Questions readers ask
Did she steal the flag from Emperor Hirohito's palace?
Fraser was arrested in connection with the missing Olympic flag in 1964 but was released without charge. She later stated the flag was given to her as a souvenir and denied swimming the moat.
Why did she move to Noosa?
She moved to Noosa on the Sunshine Coast to manage asthma symptoms, as the subtropical climate and increased exposure to sunlight were beneficial to her health.
