Shane Gould

Shane Gould's name is synonymous with swimming excellence and it evokes the magic of a superb young athlete winning five Olympic medals at the age of 15. Her teenage years were lived in the glare of public scrutiny until she turned her back on copetition at 16.

Born in Sydney, she had an idyllic childhood in Fiji with her three sisters. She attended nine different schools, including one in California.

Married at 18, Shane and her husband embraced the alternative lifestyle with its attendant hard work and financial struggle. The couple was part of the 1970's idealism, which changed attitudes to land management and promoted conservation.

In her autobiography TumbleTurns Shane reveals suffering perplexing surges of sadness. She later understood this in the context of Sports Retirement and now speaks on the subject - her insights from her personal experience are highly valued by researchers, elite athletes, coaches and sports administrators.

Shane's loyalty to her marriage gradually became stretched to breaking point, and on leaving her husband of 22 years she also broke through a year long depression.

Shane is a woman of many enthusiasms and is particularly passionate about Natural Horsemanship, Drug-free Sport, and protecting old growth native forests.

Swimming - be it in pool or ocean - continues to be a favourite activity that holds almost spiritual dimension for her. Her chief passions are mastering new skills and researching the hows and whys of physical excellence - the social and personal effects of sporting achievements.

Perceptive readers of Tumble Turns will pick up facets of the personality of Shane Gould, sports legend, Living Treasure, and much loved Australian. Determination, courage and optimism shine through the funny-sad anecdotes and the deeper experiences of her varied life. She is known for her generous heart and her ability to inspire others to do their best. She surprises coaches by turning up at a squad session and asking to join in with the young swimmers.

Her recent participation in Masters swimming events was greeted as a homecoming.

Shane's previous venture into writing was her 1991 booklet Water Delights which advised parents on introducing children to water experiences.

Shane Gould lives in WA and keeps close contact with her four young adult children. She is also a proud promoter of the Sydney 2000 Olympics.