Carlton, Melissa (1978 - )

Melissa Carlton is a freestyle swimmer who migrated with her family to Tasmania from South Africa at the age of twelve in 1986. At the the 1996 Paralympic Games held in Atlanta she won two gold medals, two silver and one bronze. She also held the world record for the 400 meters freestyle. Born with a congenital leg disability, Carlton says 'I never considered myself to be disabled because this is how I have always been. It's how I have always swum.'

Conisdered to be somewhat of an icon of Tasmanian sport, Carlton was named Tasmanian Sportswoman of the the Year in 1996. In 2000, she was appointd Executive Officer of the Tasmanian Paralympic Committee

Chronology

1992	Gold Medalist at the Barcelona Paralympics
1994	Gold Medalist at Victoria Commonwealth Games - Swimming (Disabled) - 100m Freestyle (S9)
1996	Gold, Sliver and Bronze Medalist at the Paralympics in Atlanta. - She won a bronze medal in the 100 metres (109 yards) backstroke, silver medals in the 100 metres butterfly and the 100 metres freestyle, gold medals in the 400 metres (437 yards) freestyle and the 4 x 100 metre freestyle relay.
1996	Tasmanian Sportswoman of the Year
1999	Awarded a senior scholarship to the Tasmanian Institute of Sport
2000	Silver and Bronze Medalist at the Syndey Paralympic Games
2001	Received the Tasmanian Athlete with a Disability of the Year award

Online Resources

• Greenwood, Ann, Tasmania the Island: Fact File, http://www.ontas.com.au/fact-file/category-melissacarlton.htm. [ Details... ]