Shane Gould

Shane Gould, born on November 23, 1956, is a celebrated Australian former competition swimmer who made history at the 1972 Summer Olympics. At those Games, she achieved an extraordinary feat by winning three gold medals, one silver medal, and one bronze medal, becoming the first female swimmer to secure five individual medals in a single Olympic event.

Gould's early life was spent in Fiji, where she moved with her family during her childhood. Her remarkable achievements in swimming earned her the prestigious title of Australian of the Year following her Olympic success. In recognition of her contributions to sports, she was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire in 1981 and later received an Order of Merit from the Australian Olympic Committee in April 2018.

After a hiatus from competitive swimming, Gould returned in the 1990s as both a mentor and competitor, showcasing her skills once again in 2003, particularly in the 200m Individual Medley. In 1999, she shared her journey in her autobiography, Tumble Turns, which reflects on her life and career.

In addition to her swimming accolades, Gould gained fame as a reality television participant, winning the fifth season of Australian Survivor in 2018, where she became the oldest winner in the franchise's history, taking home five hundred thousand dollars as the Sole Survivor. She later returned for Australian Survivor: All Stars but was voted out first.