Who overcame asthma so bad she could barely breathe to win golds in three successive Olympics?

Brainyblonde

Dawn Lorraine Fraser is an Australian swimming legend. Her achievements include winning four gold medals in three successive Olympic Games between 1956 and 1964, winning three straight freestyle titles, setting 39 world records, and being awarded the distinguished Olympic Order. While the asthma made playing some sports difficult, she took up swimming because the swimming helped her breathing by strengthening her lungs. http://www.historyswomen.com/DawnLorraine.html Aug 14 04, 7:20 PM

roseofsheryn

28 DAWN FRASER Australia Swimming. 4.9.1937 While many female swimming champions retire before they are out of their teens, Dawn Fraser continued successfully in top-flight competition until she was 27. No other woman freestyle swimmer can rival her accomplishments - even though she had to contend with bronchial asthma throughout her career. She is the only swimmer to win an event at three successive Olympics: the 100 metres in 1956 - 1960 and 1964. Olympic Medal tally: Gold 1956 - 100 metres freestyle - 4x100 metres freestyle relay; 1960 - 100 metres freestyle; 1964 - 100 metres freestyle. Silver 1956 - 400 metres freestyle; 1960 - 4x100 metres freestyle relay; 4x100 metres medley relay; 1964 - 4x100 metres freestyle relay. Aug 15 04, 4:25 PM

gmackematix

Dawn Fraser once described her asthma as like a "kangaroo sitting on her chest". Doubtless she was one of the all-time sporting greats. Aug 16 04, 6:23 PM