Speaker fees: We're not able to provide this information on the website. Please call us on 0450 077 997 for more information.
Kieren Perkins OAM is a celebrated Australian Olympian known for his remarkable swimming career. He won two Olympic gold medals in the 1500m freestyle (1992, 1996) and two silver medals, while setting 11 world records and over 40 Australian records.
His swimming journey began at age eight, initially as a form of rehabilitation for a leg injury. Under the guidance of coach John Carew, Perkins quickly emerged as a prodigious talent.
At the 1992 Australian Olympic trials, he made headlines by breaking world records in the 400m and 1500m freestyle events. Later that year, he won gold and silver medals at the Barcelona Olympics. His memorable performance in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, where he won the 1500m freestyle from lane eight, solidified his status as a sporting legend.
Perkins became the first swimmer to hold Olympic, World, Commonwealth, and Pan Pacific titles simultaneously in the 1500m freestyle category and played a pivotal role in securing the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games for Australia.
After retiring from competitive swimming, Perkins transitioned into the business world, joining National Australia Bank (NAB) in 2009, where he held senior roles including Executive Director of Personal Banking. In 2021, he became CEO of Australian Unity Bank, focusing on member-first financial services and business growth strategies. He served on multiple boards, such as Swimming Australia, the Australian Sports Commission, and the Starlight Children’s Foundation, among others. Perkins also holds an Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy from the University of Queensland.
In 2022, Perkins was appointed CEO of the Australian Sports Commission, where he is dedicated to building a more inclusive and sustainable sporting system. His initiatives, including the High Performance 2032+ Sport Strategy and the Win Well framework, emphasize athlete wellbeing and integrity, preparing Australia for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games. Kieren Perkins continues to make a significant positive impact on Australian sports.