16 Facts About Tracey Wickham

Tracey Wickham is a former world record holder for the 400 m, 800 m and 1500 m freestyle.

Tracey Wickham began swimming at the age of eight at John Rigby's pool in Brisbane and mastered her technique under the guidance of Peter Diamond.

In 1977, Tracey Wickham's family moved to California, where she trained for six months with coaching legend Mark Schubert.

Tracey Wickham returned to Brisbane at the end of 1977 and she came under the guidance of coach Bill Sweetenham at the Commercial Swimming Club.

On 8 February 1978, Tracey Wickham broke her first world record, the 1500 m freestyle, in a solo swim at the Fortitude Valley Pool in Brisbane, clocking 16:14.93.

At the 1978 Commonwealth Games in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, Tracey Wickham won both the 400 m and 800 m freestyle.

Tracey Wickham maintains that she withdrew from the team because of illness, as she was suffering glandular fever at the time, not because of the boycott.

Tracey Wickham retired at the end of 1979 due to financial problems.

Tracey Wickham returned to swimming in the early 1980s under coach Laurie Lawrence.

Tracey Wickham won gold in the 400 m and 800 m freestyle at the 1982 Commonwealth Games, where she took the Athletes Oath at the Opening Ceremony.

Tracey Wickham returned to competitive swimming again in May 1990, following the birth of her daughter, with Lawrence again as her coach.

Tracey Wickham retired for good following the birth of her son in January 1992.

Tracey Wickham was educated at the All Hallows' School, in Brisbane along with her sisters Julie and Kelly.

Tracey Wickham married in 1986 and had two children, Daniel and Hannah.

Tracey Wickham is an ambassador for Hannah's Chance Foundation, which supports teenage cancer victims.

On 30 December 1978, Tracey Wickham was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire.