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Shane Gould

Swimmer Shane Gould
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Profession: Swimmer

Nationality:
Australia
Australian

Biography: Shane Gould is an Australian competitive swimmer who achieved incredible success during her brief but remarkable career. She is best known for her outstanding performance at the 1972 Munich Olympics, where she won five medals, including three golds, and set multiple world records.

Gould's rise to prominence began in the late 1960s when she started breaking age-group records in Australia. Her extraordinary talent and versatility allowed her to excel in various swimming events, ranging from sprint to middle-distance freestyle, as well as the individual medley.

At the 1972 Munich Olympics, Shane Gould demonstrated her prowess by winning gold in the 200m and 400m freestyle and the 200m individual medley, setting world records in all three events. She also won silver in the 800m freestyle and bronze in the 100m freestyle, making her one of the most decorated athletes at the Games.

Gould's swimming career was brief, as she retired from competitive swimming at the age of 17. In the years since her retirement, Gould has been involved in various pursuits, including winning the fifth season of Australian Survivor (2018).

Born: November 23, 1956
Birthplace: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Age: 67 years old

Generation: Baby Boomer
Chinese Zodiac: Monkey
Star Sign: Sagittarius

Historical Events

  • 1972-08-28 Australian teenage swimmer Shane Gould sets a world record 2:23.07 to beat German Kornelia Ender in the 200m individual medley at the Munich Olympics; her first of 3 gold medals at the Games
  • 1972-08-29 Sandy Neilson wins the blue ribband women's 100m freestyle gold medal in 58.59 at the Munich Olympics beating fellow American Shirley Babashoff and Shane Gould of Australia
  • 1972-08-30 Australian teenage swimmer Shane Gould with a world record 4:19.04 for the 400m, wins her second of 3 gold medals at the Munich Olympics
  • 1972-09-01 Australian swimmer Shane Gould wins the 200m freestyle in world record 2:03.56 at the Munich Olympics; her 3rd gold medal & 3rd world record of the Games
  • 1972-09-03 American swimmer Keena Rothhammer has to swim world record 8:53.68 to beat Australian wonder-kid Shane Gould in the 800m at the Munich Olympics
  • 1973-02-11 1st sub 17-min 1,500m female free style swim (Shane Gould 16m56.9s)

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