Dawn Fraser

Dawn Fraser, AO, MBE, (born September 4 1937) is an Australian champion swimmer.

Related Topics:
AO - MBE - September 4 - 1937 - Australia - Swimmer

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Known for her politically incorrect behaviour or larrikin character as much as her athletic ability, Fraser won eight Olympic medals, including four golds, and six Commonwealth Games gold medals. In October 1962 she became the first woman to swim the 100 metres in less than a minute. After she retired it was eight years before her record was broken.

Related Topics:
Politically incorrect - Larrikin - Olympic - Commonwealth Games - October - 1962

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In 1965 Fraser retired from swimming, after the Australian Swimming Union placed her under a 10 year ban. Things had come to a head when, at the Tokyo Olympics, she marched in the opening ceremony against their wishes, wore an old swimsuit (which angered sponsors) because it was more comfortable, and, it was alleged, she climbed a flagpole in Emperor Hirohito’s palace, taking the Olympic flag (later proved false). The ban was lifted four years later.

Related Topics:
1965 - Tokyo Olympics - Emperor Hirohito

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Fraser then became a publican, swimming coach and in 1988 became a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for the New South Wales seat of Balmain.

Related Topics:
1988 - New South Wales - Balmain

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She was named Australian of the Year in 1964, was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire in 1967 and on June 8 1998, was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO).

Related Topics:
Australian of the Year - 1964 - Order of the British Empire - June 8 - 1998 - Order of Australia

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She is one of the contestants in the current season of the Seven Network's Dancing With The Stars.

Related Topics:
Seven Network - Dancing With The Stars

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