Wednesday, May 14

Australian Swimming and Olympic legend Dawn Fraser was told by doctors that she "could die” on the operating table after falling when she feinted and her heart stopped beating at her Noosa home last December. Fraser's heart is made of sterner stuff, as we know - and it started beating again soon enough to save her.

Now, the 87-year-old founder member of the Olympic triple-crown club in swimming when she retained the 100m freestyle title for a third time at the Tokyo 1964 Games, is heading back to the pool as part of her rehabilitation after been fitted with a pacemaker.

In a Ten Eyewitness News exclusive, Fraser tells viewers:

“The doctor said I could die. It wasn’t a safe operation … that was the frightening part; that I might die under anaesthetic, and I didn’t want to die that way. So I wasn’t going to give in…especially away from my family.”

Fraser says she wants to be around for Brisbane 2032. Could she make it?

“I hope so..I’ll be 95 then,” says the legend.

The Interview In Full

On This Day, This Week 25 Years Ago:

Thorpe’s Dolphin Thunder From Down Under 25 Years Ago This Week: 3 Days, 3 World Records

A quarter of a century ago this week, Ian Thorpe was busy setting a World record a day for three days at Olympic Trials. Plus, our memory of Act 1, Scene 1 at Sydney 2000; and our celebration of his career when he retired in 2006

State Of Swimming +Craig Lord

Also in the May Vortex:

• Mary-Sophie Harvey High Five Includes Fourth Career Best At Giant Paris Open
• Ronan Wantenaar's Breakthrough
• Underpinning Parental Pride In Sean McCann's Progress in the Pool
• Marrit Steenbergen Sails Under 53 For Tenth Time For Giant Win In Paris
• Cameron McEvoy Sets Sights Cielo's 20.9 WR & Sees "No Reason" To Rule Out Brisbane 2032 At 39
• Mary-Sophie Harvey & Marrit Steenbergen At The Double in Paris
• Scotland's Never Too Late campaign sees 152% increase in adult swimming programmes
• Coach Matteo Giunta Defends Federica Pellegrini On "Zero Tolerance" Stance In Sinner Doping Case
• Great Britain Selects 20 For European U23 Championships 
• ASU Boss Says College Sports Revenue-Share Announcement Close
• Jordan Crooks Takes A Break From Racing
• Gary Hall Jr's Medals Back From The Flames
• Jon Rudd's Time In Ireland Is Done As He Heads Off To Lead Saudi Performance Program
• Lukas Märtens Makes It 200-400 Double With 1:44.25 Victory At German Nationals
• Gretchen Walsh Joins Sjöstrom In Club Of Sub-25 'Fly Dashers; Irish & Danish Marks For Ellen Walshe & Tomas Koski
• Katie Ledecky Sweeps To Her 2nd Career Fastest 400 Free - 3:56.8

IN OTHER COVERAGE:

May 12:

When Manaudou Clock 4:03.03 To Gets Past Evans’s Epic Over 400 Free After Almost 18 Years

From The Archive: May 12, 2006: Laure Manaudou, the French Olympic champion, made good a promise to be the woman who replaced the legendary Janet Evans on the world record books over 400 metres freestyle today in Tour with a 4min 03.03sec victory at national championships in Tour

State Of Swimming +Craig Lord

May 9:

FORUM: Cheers To Pioneers High On Natural, Enhancement-Free, Pathfinding, Human Capacity

This week’s Thema - why it’s a ‘no’ to the Enhanced Games; “History in 100 ... Series” - the fight in female pioneers Durack, Wylie, Fletcher, Kellerman et al; & our Timeline on the pioneers of pace in May throughout history - celebrating Donna de Varona

State Of Swimming +Craig Lord

May 4:

Magdeburg Might Strikes Again: Wellbrock, Schwarz (Both 14:36) & Klemet (14:39) The First Domestic Sub-14:40 Podium In History

History made in German 1500m national final as coach Bernd Berkhahn’s Magdeburg charges Florian Wellbrock, 14:36.25, Sven Schwarz, 14:36.82, and Oliver Klemet, 14:39.03, deliver the first sub-14:40 domestic podium ever.

State Of Swimming +Craig Lord

Ledecky’s Legend Grows With 8:04.12 World Record From The Empress Of The League Of Longevity

“There is always a story to each world record that I set. I think tonight is the first one I’ve done when another American has done it. Hats off to Gretchen (Walsh) for getting us rolling this morning and starting a world record party.” - Katie Ledecky

State Of Swimming +Craig Lord

Walsh Whistles Past The 55 ’Fly Barrier At The Speed Of Spitz: 54.6 (After 55.09 In Heats)

“I have found that taking one less stroke has given me that extra energy ...I was long in my turn and my finish as well ... I can go faster. I look forward to perfecting that race. If it was perfect, I wouldn’t feel the confidence that I could go faster; I’m excited for more” - Gretchen Walsh

State Of Swimming +Craig Lord

Sven Schwarz Sets Euro Record 7:38.12 For German 800 Crown As Berkhahn’s Magdeburg Might Flexes Collective Muscle

No other swim program in the world has ever had four men racing 7:38, 7:39, 7:43 (with a career best 7:39) and 7:44 in one season over 800 free when backed up by two age-record- holding training partners waiting in the wings on 7:51.04 and 7:51.29

State Of Swimming +Craig Lord