Olympedia – Murray Rose
Biography
Murray Rose was a triple gold medalist at the 1956 Games; he won the 400 and 1,500 metre freestyle and was a member of the world record breaking team in the 4 x 200 metre freestyle relay. After the Melbourne Games Rose enrolled at the University of Southern California and at the 1960 Olympics, he retained his 400 metres title, won silver in the 1,500 metres, and a bronze in the relay. His total of six Olympic medals would surely have been greater but for the fact that he was not selected for the 1964 Games as he refused to return from California for the Australian Championships, the qualifying meet. Earlier in the year Rose had set world records for 880 yards and 1,500 metres and would certainly have been a medal contender in Tokyo. During his career he set 15 world records, 9 in individual events, with two at 400 metres, one at 800 metres, and two at 1,500 metres, over currently recognized events. His international career ended at the 1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games, when he won four gold medals, in the 400 and 1,500 freestyles, and two in relay events. Rose continued to enjoy competitive swimming long after his Olympic career was over and in 1981 he won the World Masters title in faster times than he recorded at the 1956 Games. A vegan, Rose was often called The Seaweed Streak for what was then an unusual diet. He settled in the United States where he worked in movies and the television industry and managing a company which sold nutritional supplements, but he eventually returned to live in his native Australia. In 1983 Rose was elected by his peers as Australia’s greatest male Olympian.
Results
| Games | Discipline (Sport) / Event | NOC / Team | Pos | Medal | As | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1956 Summer Olympics | Swimming (Aquatics) |  AUS |
Murray Rose | |||
| 400 metres Freestyle, Men (Olympic) | 1 | Gold | ||||
| 1,500 metres Freestyle, Men (Olympic) | 1 | Gold | ||||
| 4 × 200 metres Freestyle Relay, Men (Olympic) | Australia | 1 | Gold | |||
| 1960 Summer Olympics | Swimming (Aquatics) | AUS |
Murray Rose | |||
| 400 metres Freestyle, Men (Olympic) | 1 | Gold | ||||
| 1,500 metres Freestyle, Men (Olympic) | 2 | Silver | ||||
| 4 × 200 metres Freestyle Relay, Men (Olympic) | Australia | 3 | Bronze |
Special Notes
- Bearer of the Olympic Flag at the opening ceremony of the 2000 Summer Olympics
- Listed in Olympians Who Set a World Record in Long Course Swimming (400 m freestyle – 27 October 1956 - 15 January 1958 and 17 August 1962 - 31 July 1964: 4:27.0 (27 October 1956; Melbourne, AUS), 4:25.9 (12 January 1957; Sydney, AUS), 4:13.4 (17 August 1962; Chicago, USA); 800 m freestyle – 26 August 1962 - 3 August 1966: 8:51.5 (26 August 1962; Los Altos, USA); 1500 m freestyle – 30 October 1956 - 5 December 1956 and 2 August 1964 - 2 September 1964: 17:59.5 (30 October 1956; Melbourne, AUS), 17:01.8 (2 August 1964; Palo Alto, USA); 4×200 m freestyle relay – 3 December 1956 - 22 July 1959 and 6 August 1960 - 1 September 1960: 8:23.6 (3 December 1956; Melbourne, AUS), 8:16.6 (6 August 1960; Townsville, AUS))
- Listed in Olympic Swimmers - Doubles Champions, Same Year (1956 Distance Freestyle Double Champion (400/1500).)
- Listed in Olympians Who Won a Medal at the British Empire/Commonwealth Games (4–0–0 1962 Perth SWI gold: 440 yards freestyle, 1650 yards freestyle, 4×110 yards freestyle, and 4×220 yards freestyle)