Australian Olympic legend Dawn Fraser has been rushed to hospital with serious injuries after suffering a fall at home. 

The three time Olympian, 87, who now lives at Noosa on Queensland‘s Sunshine Coast suffered ‘multiple’ injuries last week, including four broken ribs, a gashed arm and fractured hip.

She was admitted to hospital last Wednesday and underwent emergency surgery for a hip replacement the next day.

Her daughter Dawn-Lorraine Ware revealed to Nine News that Fraser spent five days in intensive care but was moved out of ICU earlier on Monday.

‘She should hopefully be OK,’ a family statement later read.

‘Mum has scared the daylights out of us. But to see her up and about today is the best Christmas present we could have asked for. She is one tough lady.

‘Huge thanks to the doctors and nursing staff who have been amazing. I can’t thank them enough. They could not be happier with Mum’s progress.’

Regarded as a one of Australia’s greatest ever Olympians, Fraser is one of only four swimmers to win the same individual event three times.

She won the 100m freestyle at the 1956, 1960 and 1964 Olympics and held the world  record for 15 years in the event.

Australian Olympic Committee chief executive Matt Carroll led the outpouring of tributes to Fraser following her terrifying health scare.

‘Dawn is an Olympic legend and she has continued to give back to sport for decades. We wish her the best in her recovery,’ he said.

Swimming Australia chief executive Rob Woodhouse added: ‘Dawn is a living treasure – an icon of our sport – and we wish her a speedy, healthy and full recovery.’ 

Fraser won eight Olympic medals, including four gold, six British Empire and Commonwealth gold medals and set 23 individual world records.

Just three weeks ago, Fraser made a rare public appearance at the Sport Australia Hall of Fame Gala Dinner at Melbourne’s Crown Palladium.

Fraser opted for a classic silhouette and donned simple slacks beneath a black dress.

She also attended the Paris Olympics in July, where she cheered on her goddaughter Lani Pallister, who was part of Australia’s women’s 4 X 200m relay team who won gold in the pool.

Fraser was overcome with tears of joy in the stands for Pallister, who was forced to withdraw from the earlier 1500m freestyle heats after testing positive for Covid.

Fraser was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1985 and eight years later, became the first female to achieve Sport Australia Hall of Fame ‘legend’ status.

She was also crowned World Athlete of the Century at the World Sports Awards in 1999.

In 2018, Fraser was awarded the Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for her outstanding services to sport through ambassadorial, mentoring, and non-executive roles with a range of organisations at all levels.