Denise Norton

Denise Norton began swimming on Glenelg Beach where her father taught her the strokes. At 15-years-old she placed second in the Swim Through Adelaide on the River Torrens. She later moved to Melbourne to train. During her career she held every Australian record for freestyle and backstroke. In addition to her 1952 Olympic appearance, Norton swam at the 1950 British Empire Games where she won a gold medal in the 4x110 yd freestyle relay, adding an individual bronze medal in the 440 yard freestyle. Norton retired soon after the Olympics but decades later returned to swimming and competed in Masters’ events, setting multiple records.