Born: 1962 (Rosebud, Victoria)
Biography:
Tracey Lee Wickham MBE, OAM (born 24 November 1962 in Rosebud, Victoria) is an Australian former middle distance swimmer. Wickham was the World Champion for the 400 m and 800 m freestyle in 1978, and won gold in both events at the 1978 and 1982 Commonwealth Games. She is a former world record holder for the 400 m, 800 m and 1500 m freestyle. Despite her success in the pool, Wickham has battled hardship and personal tragedy throughout her life.
Wickham first discovered her passion for swimming at the age of eight when she began training at John Rigby’s pool in Brisbane. Under the guidance of her coach, Peter Diamond, she quickly developed a strong technique and a determination to succeed. At just thirteen years old, Wickham earned a coveted spot on the Australian team for the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games. However, she was unable to reach the finals in any of her events, which left her disappointed but even more determined to improve.
In 1977, Wickham and her family relocated to California. During her six months in the United States, she had the privilege of training with the esteemed coach Mark Schubert. Under Schubert’s guidance, Wickham honed her skills and gained valuable experience. She returned to Brisbane at the end of that year and joined the Commercial Swimming Club under the coaching of Bill Sweetenham.
Wickham’s breakthrough came on 8 February 1978 when she shattered her first world record in the 1500 m freestyle. Swimming solo at the Fortitude Valley Pool in Brisbane, she clocked an impressive time of 16:14.93. This achievement was just the beginning of her meteoric rise in the swimming world. Later that year, at the 1978 Commonwealth Games in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, Wickham claimed gold in both the 400 m and 800 m freestyle events.
Continuing her winning streak, Wickham set world records in both the 400 m and 800 m freestyle events at the 1978 Berlin World Championships. Her time of 4:06.28 in the 400 m freestyle stood as the Championship record for nearly three decades, until it was finally broken in 2007. Wickham’s dominance in the pool was undeniable, and she held both world records until 1987, long after her retirement.
However, the road to success was not without its challenges for Wickham. In 1980, she faced a difficult decision when Australia decided against an official boycott of the 1980 Summer Olympics. Many Australian athletes chose to boycott the Games individually, but Wickham withdrew from the team due to illness. She was suffering from glandular fever at the time and it was not related to the boycott. Wickham’s absence allowed fellow Australian Michelle Ford to win the 800 m freestyle event.
Financial problems forced Wickham into retirement at the end of 1979, as the Amateur Swimming Union of Australia upheld the policy of amateurism during that period. This meant she was unable to earn money from the sport or receive any prizes. However, Wickham’s love for swimming eventually drew her back into the pool in the early 1980s. Under the guidance of coach Laurie Lawrence, she made a triumphant return to the sport.
Wickham’s comeback was marked by her stellar performance at the 1982 Commonwealth Games, where she once again claimed gold in the 400 m and 800 m freestyle events. Her victory in the 400 m freestyle was made all the more memorable as she received her gold medal from Queen Elizabeth II. Wickham’s final competitive swim came shortly after the Games, as she retired from swimming to focus on motherhood following the birth of her daughter.
Throughout her career, Tracey Wickham faced numerous obstacles but consistently demonstrated resilience and determination. Her achievements in the pool not only solidified her status as one of Australia’s greatest swimmers but also left an indelible mark on women’s sports history. Her legacy serves as an inspiration to future generations of athletes, proving that with passion, dedication, and perseverance, great heights can be reached.
Awards:
– World Champion for the 400 m and 800 m freestyle in 1978
– Gold medals in the 400 m and 800 m freestyle at the 1978 Commonwealth Games
– Gold medals in the 400 m and 800 m freestyle at the 1982 Commonwealth Games