AOC President John Coates said the three times Olympian has excellent credentials to take Australian sport forward.

“It’s a huge task and Kieren will bring a fresh set of eyes. With ten years until Brisbane 2032, now is the time to address the serious issues that confront Australian sport, so our nation can take full advantage of the opportunities, particularly for women and girls.

“The Australian Olympic Team in Tokyo contained our highest level of female participation - nearly 54% of our Team. We are leading the way in gender equity and ensuring our core sports, particularly women’s sport can reach their potential.

“Kieren has a strong background in business and he understands sport.  He is, of course, an outstanding Olympian – a three times Olympian and two times Olympic champion over 1500 metres - and as Chef de Mission of those three Teams I came to know Kieren very well.

“This is an excellent appointment,” Mr Coates concluded.

AOC Chief Executive Officer Matt Carroll echoed Mr Coates remarks, flagging the crucial role sport plays in ensuring Australia is an active and healthy nation.

“I look forward to working with Kieren in the coming years to ensure Sport can assist the nation in achieving the aspiration of a healthier, more active population, particularly in our Indigenous communities. How sport can help alleviate the future strain on health services caused by the obesity crisis and mental health.

“As an Olympic champion, he knows better than most that results come from resilience, commitment and hard work. His achievements in the pool have inspired so many. His career after retirement from swimming has been exemplary.

“I know we can work together to deliver good sports policy that can improve participation, ensure pathways for aspiring athletes to lift high performance, attract major sports events and that contribute to the goals of national inspiration and social cohesion.

“The AOC is delighted with the appointment of such an outstanding Olympian in Kieren Perkins to this absolutely critical role at this watershed moment in time.”

Mr Carroll went on to thank the Federal Government following the announcement of an increase in the number of athletes to receive grants under the Local Sporting Champions program.

“The AOC would like to acknowledge the expansion of the program from 9,000 to 12,000 athletes to help them in their athletic journeys. That direct support is valued.

“We would also like to acknowledge the support given to our Tokyo athletes and Team officials with the Federal Government contributing $2.1 million to the cost of their quarantine on arrival back in Australia after the Tokyo Games. It’s very much appreciated.

“From the AOC’s perspective it was a complex and expensive exercise to get this Team safely to and from the Games and have them perform at such a high standard.

“The AOC expended $24.4 million from its own resources to that end. That effort required an additional $5.4 million beyond our normal Team costs, including $2.4 million to support the athletes during the year long postponement. The Team responded by doing us all proud,” Mr Carroll concluded.