Dawn Fraser is regarded as the greatest female swimmer in the world, being the first woman who swam the 100-meter event in less than a minute. When she was 12 years old, in 1952, a Sydney coach at one of the local baths spotted her. Dawn earned acclaim in 1955 when she broke currently held records in the freestyle events right up to 880 yds. She shot into international fame at the Melbourne Olympics held in 1956 when she broke the 100-meter freestyle record, which was set 20 years back by Willy Den Ouden. Just 18 years of age, she won 3 medals from her first Olympic games. . She is one of only two swimmers to win the same Olympic event three times, in her case, the 100 meters freestyle.She was named the "Australian Of the Year" in 1964, was made a member of the order of the British Empire in 1967, and appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 1998. Also in 1998, she was voted Australia's greatest female athlete in history. She was named Australian Female Athlete of the Century by the Sport Australian Hall of Fame.In 1999 the International Olmpic Committee named her the World's Greatest Living Female Water Sports Champion.
She was one of the bearers of the Olmpic torch at the opening ceremony of the 2000 Summers Olympics in Sydney. She carried the Olympic Torch at the stadium, as one of the runners for the final segment, before the lighting of the Olympic flame.
The Australian Sports Awards includes an award named in honour of and presented by Fraser.
She was a respectable sportsman for her sportsmanship and proved her excellence as a good sportsman by winning 3 gold medal for swimming in a straight.
Labels: Dawn Fraser
