Queen’s Birthday Honours: Olympian Karen Moras Stephenson recognised for service to swimming

FROM teenage swimming prodigy to Olympic medallist and high school swim coach, Karen Moras Stephenson has dedicated her life to the sport. Her service has been recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

Karen Moras Stephenson has been awarded an OAM for service to swimming. Picture: Craig Wilson

• FULL LIST: COMPANION, GENERAL DIVISION (AC)
• FULL LIST: PUBLIC SERVICE MEDAL (PSM)
• FULL LIST: DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS (DSC)

STANDING on the Olympic podium in 1968 with a bronze medal around her neck, 14-year-old swimmer Karen Moras thought it would be the height of the honours she would be given in life.

Now, 47 years later, Karen Moras Stephenson says she’s “more than honoured” to be awared the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to swimming.

“I’m doing something that I love, and to be recognised for that makes me more than honoured and beyond humbled,” said Stephenson, from Oatlands.

“It’s just perfect that I’m getting the award on the Queen’s Birthday as well ... the last time I competed was over the Queen’s Birthday.”

Stephenson rose to national and international acclaim during the 1968 Mexico City Olympics as a 14-year-old from Ryde Swimming Club.

Stephenson at the 1970 Commonwealth Games.

She captained the swim team at the 1972 Olympic Games.

Stephenson was expected to win medals at the Olympics but she struggled to adapt to the rarefied air at high altitude conditions. Despite this Moras managed to salvage a bronze medal in the 400m freestyle.

At the 1970 Edinburgh Commonwealth Games, Stephenson was the dominant swimmer at the Games, winning the 200m, 400m and 800m freestyle events, and cutting seven seconds off her 800m freestyle world record.

Moras captained the swim team at the 1972 Munich Olympics but failed to reach the final in any of her events. She retired from competitive swimming after the Olympics.

Since then, Stephenson managed the women’s swim team at the 2002 Manchester ommonwealth Games and was section manager swimming at the 2004 Athens Olympics.

She is currently swim coach at Presbyterian Ladies College in Croydon.

Stephenson lights Maree Holland’s torch at Parramatta during 2000 Olympic Torch Relay.

“I’m definitely a water baby,” Stephenson said.

“Sometimes I’ll just get the feeling that I have to go to the beach, it’s like a compulsion.”

Stephenson has made it her goal to help young women learn to swim for safety, but also to get swimmers recognised for the hard work they have put in to their training.

“I work so hard with girls that are mentally or intellectually challenged, to get the recognition that they deserve in competitions and through the schools.”

Stephenson wants to show her students that grace and integrity away from sport is equally as important to medals and first place ribbons.

“I look at the OAM not as a symbol of my swimming, but how I’ve conducted myself outside of the pool,” she said.

“What I hope to instil in the girls’ is that you should always give back and look after yourself, staying healthy and being respectful.”