Dawn Fraser (born September 4 1937) is an Australian champion swimmer. Known for her politically incorrect behaviour or larrikin character as much as her athletic ability, Fraser won eight Olympic and eight Commonwealth Games 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.

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.

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

Swimming achievements

• 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games
  • 100 metres freestyle - gold medal
  • 400 metres freestyle - silver medal
  • 4 x 100 metres freestyle relay - gold medal

• 1958 Cardiff Commonwealth Games
  • 110 yards (100.58 metres) freestyle - gold medal
  • 4 x 110 yards (4 x 100.58 metres) freestyle relay - gold medal

• 1960 Rome Olympic Games
  • 100 metres freestyle - gold medal

• 1962 Perth Commonwealth Games
  • 110 yards freestyle - gold medal
  • 440 yards freestyle - gold medal
  • 4 x 110 yards (4 x 100.58 metres) freestyle relay - gold medal
  • 4 x 110 yards (4 x 100.58 metres) medley relay - gold medal

• 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games
  • 100 metres freestyle - gold medal

• Australian Championships
  • 110 yards freestyle: 1956, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1964
  • 220 yards freestyle: 1955, 1956, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1964
  • 440 yards freestyle: 1958, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1964
  • 110 yards butterfly: 1960, 1962
  • 220 yards medley: 1959
  • 4 x 110 freestyle relay: 1957, 1958, 1959, 1964
  • 4 x 110 yards medley relay: 1955, 1964