Fight the Ban!
Posted: Fri Jul 08, 2011 12:36 pm
One of the more famous bans in Australian history was that of Dawn Fraser. She won Olympic gold in swimming in 1956, 1960, and 1964, holding the 100m freestyle world record from 1956-1972. In the third Olympics (Tokyo), she annoyed the officials by marching in the opening ceremony (against team rules, as they were competing within a few days), wearing a non-sponsored swimsuit in the trials, and (possibly) being involved in stealing the Olympic flag from the Emperor's palace during a celebration.
She was banned for 10 years. The authorities rescinded the ban in 1968, but too close to the Olympics for her to prepare. Her co-bannee Linda McGill responded by swimming the English Channel, among other long-distance feats.
Fraser was later named Australian Female Athlete of the Century, and in 1999 World's Greatest Living Female Water Sports Champion, etc.
She was banned for 10 years. The authorities rescinded the ban in 1968, but too close to the Olympics for her to prepare. Her co-bannee Linda McGill responded by swimming the English Channel, among other long-distance feats.
Fraser was later named Australian Female Athlete of the Century, and in 1999 World's Greatest Living Female Water Sports Champion, etc.
