Born: 1956
Biography:
Shane Elizabeth Gould AM MBE (born 23 November 1956) is an Australian former competition swimmer. She won three gold medals, a silver medal, and a bronze at the 1972 Summer Olympics. Gould was born in Australia, but spent most of her childhood in Fiji after she and her family moved there. At the age of 15, Gould competed in the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, West Germany, winning three gold medals.
Shane Gould was a prodigious talent in the world of swimming. Born on the first day of the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, she moved to Fiji with her family at the tender age of 18 months. It was in Fiji where Gould’s passion for swimming ignited, and by the age of six, she was already a competent and skilled swimmer. She attended St. Peters Lutheran College in Brisbane and later pursued her secondary education at Turramurra High School in Sydney.
Under the guidance of esteemed coaches Forbes and Ursula Carlile, and their assistant Tom Green, Gould’s talent flourished. She quickly rose to prominence in the swimming world, winning all of her world swimming titles as a teenager, and representing Australia on the global stage.
Gould’s crowning achievement came at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, where she displayed her exceptional skill and determination. She clinched three gold medals in world record time, becoming the first female swimmer ever to accomplish such a feat. In addition to her golden haul, Gould also secured a silver and a bronze medal at the Games, solidifying her status as one of the most talented swimmers of her time.
Her remarkable performance did not go unnoticed, and Gould was named Australian of the Year in 1972, a testament to her unparalleled swimming prowess and dedication to her craft. In recognition of her outstanding contributions to the sport, she was awarded an MBE in 1983 and was honored with an Order of Merit by the Australian Olympic Committee in April 2018.
Although she took a break from competitive swimming, Gould’s love for the sport never waned. In the 1990s, she made a triumphant return as a swimming mentor and competitor. Her unwavering passion inspired a new generation of swimmers and reaffirmed her enduring impact on the sport.
In 1999, Gould chronicled her incredible journey in her autobiography, Tumble Turns, offering readers a glimpse into the challenges and triumphs she experienced throughout her career. Her story serves as a testament to the power of perseverance and the pursuit of excellence.
In a surprising turn of events, Gould made a remarkable comeback in 2018 by competing in the fifth season of Australian Survivor. Displaying her resilience and competitive spirit, she emerged as the oldest winner in the history of the Survivor franchise, triumphing over adversity and securing the title of Sole Survivor along with a prize of $500,000.
Awards:
– Australian of the Year (1972)
– MBE (1983)
– Order of Merit by the Australian Olympic Committee (2018)