The Sport Australia Hall of Fame has announced the addition of the ‘Dawn Award’ in honor of the swimming legend Dawn Fraser. This new award will presented to a “courageous groundbreaker who has demonstrated achievement against the odds and challenged the status quo.” The Hall of Fame says this award isn’t exclusively for active athletes, and it could go to an athlete of the past.
Dawn Fraser is an Australian swimming legend, and an Olympic great. She won 8 Olympic medals in her career, including 4 Golds and 4 Silvers. Fraser was also the first swimmer to win an individual Olympic Gold in the same event at 3 consecutive Olympics. She was a trailblazer through and through, becoming the first woman in history to break 1-minute in the 100 free.
This year’s Sport Australia Hall of Fame celebration is set for December 2nd, and will feature the HOF inductees, as well as the Dawn Award and the Don Award. The Don Award is named after Sir Donald Bradman, and is considered to be Australia’s greatest sporting honor. It’s awarded to an athlete who has inspired the nation that year.