- First woman in the world to receive gold medals from three consecutive Olympics
- First woman to break the one minute barrier for 100 metre freestyle
- Named World Athlete of the Century in 1999
- Named Australian Athlete of the Century in 1999
- Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year
- Gold 1956 Melbourne 100 m freestyle
- Gold 1956 Melbourne 4×100 m freestyle
- Gold 1960 Rome 100 m freestyle
- Gold 1964 Tokyo 100 m freestyle
- Silver 1956 Melbourne 400 m freestyle
- Silver 1960 Rome 4×100 m freestyle
- Silver 1960 Rome 4×100 m medley
- Silver 1964 Tokyo 4×100 m freestyle
- Gold 1958 Cardiff 110 yd freestyle
- Gold 1958 Cardiff 4×110 yd freestyle relay
- Gold 1962 Perth 110 yd freestyle
- Gold 1962 Perth 440 yd freestyle
- Gold 1962 Perth 4×110 yd freestyle relay
- Gold 1962 Perth 4×110 yd medley relay
- Silver 1958 Cardiff 440 yd freestyle
- Broke 3 World Records In One Hour
- Broke 43 World Records In Total