Paralympics Elizabeth Edmondson

elizabeth edmondson training @ beatty park pool aged 14




elizabeth edmondson

at age of 14 years , 4 months, edmondson australian paralympic competitor. youngest competitor @ 1964 summer paralympics in tokyo among athletes nations. youngest paralympic medallist australia 48 years, until maddison elliott won bronze medal @ 2012 london paralympics. won 3 gold medals in 1964 summer paralympics in following events: women s class 5 50 metre breaststroke world record time of 1.04.6; women s class 5 50 metre backstroke world record time of 0.50.8; women s class 5 complete 50 metre freestyle world record time of 0.39.7. won silver medal in class 4 incomplete 50 metre backstroke event time of 0.52.3, beat old world record. @ conclusion of 1964 games, edmondson s parents acknowledged swimming had helped daughter, felt needed quit sport , concentrate on education because swimming not provide standing in life. after 1964 games, edmondson returned home , prepared school exams.

edmondson , lorraine dodd met queen elizabeth queen mother @ garden party hosted @ government house when visited perth in 1966. edmondson did not compete in 1966 commonwealth paraplegic games, due difficulty finding funding go jamaica, plight common many western australian athletes.

edmondson won gold medal @ 1968 summer paralympics in tel aviv in 50 metre freestyle class 4 incomplete swimming event world record time of 0.44.1 , gold medal in 100 metre open freestyle swim event world record time of 1.33.0. won silver medal in women s 50m backstroke class 4 incomplete in time of 52.3.

edmondson competed limited mobility in water, during paralympics , rest of swimming career: use arms , shoulders move through water. edmondson s swimming coach, tony howson, claimed swimming times similar of able-bodied girls of same age. stopped competing after 1968 games financial reasons, , employed @ telstra.