Swimming
At the 1972 Summer Olympics, in Munich, Gould won three gold medals, setting a world record in each race. She also won a bronze and a silver medal.
She is the only person, male or female, to hold every world freestyle record from 100 m to 1500 m simultaneously, which she did from 12 December 1971 to 4 August 1972. She is also the first female swimmer ever to win three Olympic gold medals in world record time.
At the age of 17, she retired from competitive swimming, citing pressures placed upon her by her success and media profile.
Over two decades later, Gould returned to competitive swimming at Masters level. She set Australian Masters records (40-44 years 100m, 200 m, and 400 m freestyle, and 100 m butterfly) and 45-49 years (50 m butterfly, 100 m and 200 m freestyle). In 2003 she broke the world record for the 45-49 years 200 m individual medley in 2:38.13 (beating the 1961 world record for all ages).
Read more about this topic: Shane Gould
Famous quotes containing the word swimming:
“Awareness of having better things to do with their lives is the secret to immunizing our children against false values—whether presented on television or in “real life.” The child who finds fulfillment in music or reading or cooking or swimming or writing or drawing is not as easily convinced that he needs recognition or power or some “high” to feel worthwhile.”
—Polly Berrien Berends (20th century)