Swimming champion Murray Rose dies

Australian swimming great Murray Rose died Sunday after a three-month battle with leukemia.

Rose, a four-time Olympic gold medalist, passed away in the early hours of Sunday morning in Sydney. He was 73.

Rose broke 15 world records during his career and won three gold medals at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics when he became a national icon.

Swimming Australia president David Urquhart said his passing was a great loss for the sport.

"The name Murray Rose is synonymous with success in the sport of swimming, and his achievements in Melbourne in 1956 will go down as the stuff of legend," Urquhart said.

"Murray Rose is part of the swimming DNA in this country. His success inspired a generation, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family and close friends during this difficult time."

Rose won his fourth gold medal when he prevailed in the 400-meter freestyle at the 1960 Olympics in Rome. He also won a silver and bronze that year for a career total of six medals.