Australian 1972 Olympic team dress worn by Shane Gould
Manufacturer
Speedo International Ltd
Designer
Gloria Smythe
Datec 1972
Object numberV00032961
NameDress
MediumBri nylon
DimensionsOverall: 820 x 380 x 10 mm, 0.1 kg
ClassificationsClothing and personal items
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionThis Australian Olympic team dress was worn by champion swimmer Shane Gould at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games. Produced by Speedo, it was issued as part of the Australian women’s team uniform. Designed by Gloria Smythe, the dress features the distinctive green and gold 'Southern Cross' fabric pattern used for the Australian team's swimsuits. Shane Gould won five individual Olympic swimming medals at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games.
HistoryBorn in Sydney in 1956, Shane Gould won five individual Olympic swimming medals at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games. Three Gold (200 Individual Medley, 200 Freestyle, 400 Freestyle), one Silver (800 Freestyle), and one Bronze (100 Freestyle).
With this achievement Gould became the first women to win three gold medals in individual swimming events at the same Olympic Games.
In September of 1972, Gould held every women’s Freestyle world record 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, as well as the 200m Individual Medley. Soon after this extraordinary success Shane Gould retired from competitive swimming at the age of sixteen.
SignificanceThis dress was worn by Australian Olympic gold-medal winning swimmer Shane Gould during the Munich Olympics in 1972. It is representative of Olympic clothing designs made by Speedo for the 1972 Australian team.