In November 1999, Dawn Fraser was awarded “World Athlete of the Century” at the World Sport Awards in Vienna. In the same year was also awarded “Athlete of the Century” by The Sport Australia Hall of Fame.

Given that she held 41 world records during a 15 year career,  she was always going to be considered one of the greats, but her place in the pantheon of  world sporting heroes was surely cemented in 1964 when at the age of 27 she concluded her international career by convincingly beating Americans Sharon Stouder and Kathy Ellis to take the prime Olympic sprint event for the third time.

To have maintained world dominance through three Olympics – 1956, 1960 and 1964 – is an extraordinary achievement.  That victory is a truly timeless moment.

Image: IOC