Thursday, 21 January 2021:
Dawn Fraser has paid tribute to long-time swimming coach Harry Gallagher as a "fair dinkum, true Aussie" who taught her everything she knows, following his death at 96.
Gallagher first spotted a talented 14-year-old Fraser at the Balmain Baths and trained her throughout her decorated career to four gold and four silver Olympic medals.
In total he coached athletes to nine gold, six silver and three bronze Olympic medals, while overseeing 52 world records under his tutelage.
Fraser won the 100m freestyle at three successive Games, something only three athletes have achieved across any one discipline in Games history.
"He taught me everything I know," Fraser said.
"He was always Mr Gallagher, or coach to me. Never Harry. But we had a beautiful affection for each other. I would not have succeeded without him.
"Mr Gallagher taught me self-discipline. If you missed a session, you doubled up the next day. That's how it was. We have stayed in touch all these years. I feel I belong to his family and him to mine.
"He was fair dinkum, a true Aussie."
Gallagher was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1984 and the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1989.
Australian Olympic Committee president John Coates described him as a "great innovator", who consulted top professionals in a variety of fields to get the most out of his athletes.
"It's an enormous tribute to him that Dawn remained so devoted to Harry all those years since he first spotted her talent," he said.
"There would not be many coach and athlete relationships that survived the years in that way. It's a very sad day for his family, friends, the many athletes he coached and the entire Olympic family."
