By Tom Decent
Australian swimming legend Dawn Fraser is recovering in hospital after suffering serious injuries in a fall at her daughter’s home in Queensland.
Fraser, 87, was admitted to intensive care last week after suffering multiple injuries in the accident.
Dawn Fraser at the Sport Australia Hall of Fame Gala Dinner last month. Credit: Getty Images
A statement on behalf of Fraser’s family was provided to this masthead, confirming the champion swimmer suffered four broken ribs and a gashed arm in a fall at her daughter’s Sunshine Coast home. The statement also said Fraser “underwent emergency surgery on her hip at a Sunshine Coast Hospital last Thursday”.
“Dawn is already making amazing progress,” the statement read. “Her doctors read her the riot act for ‘walking too far’. She greeted family and friends today [Monday] with a smile, determined to get out of bed by herself and walking through the hospital with all of her grit determination that made her one of the all-time greats of Olympic sport.
“Dawn has had continued support from her daughter Dawn-Lorraine and grandson Jackson who have been by her side through what has been a frightening ordeal.”
Fraser’s daughter, Dawn-Lorraine, said: “Mum has scared the daylights out of us … but to see her up and about today is the best Christmas present we could have asked for. She is one tough lady. Huge thanks to the doctors and nursing staff who have been amazing. I can’t thank them enough. They could not be happier with Mum’s progress.”
Fraser will remain in hospital for rehabilitation. Her family has asked that she is given privacy to continue her recovery.
Swimming Australia released a statement on Monday night courtesy of chief executive Rob Woodhouse.
“We have heard back from the family and as we understand Dawn is stable,” Woodhouse said. “Dawn is an Australian living treasure – an icon of our sport – and we wish her a speedy, healthy and fully recovery.”
Fraser is one of Australia’s greatest Olympians, best known for winning three consecutive women’s 100m freestyle gold medals at the 1956, 1960 and 1964 Olympics. She broke 23 individual world records and is widely regarded as one of the best Olympians in history.
The 87-year-old has been heavily involved in swimming since she stopped competing and is regularly seen at national and international meetings involving the Australian team.
Fraser was the first female to be elevated to legend status in the Australian Sport Hall of Fame. She carried the Olympic torch at the opening ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Games after initially being considered to light the cauldron - an honour that went to Cathy Freeman.
Fraser won a total of four gold and four silver medals at the Olympics, before retiring in 1964.
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