Swimming Australia has officially confirmed that three-time Olympic Gold medallist and decorated sports administrator, Tracy Stockwell OAM as the new president of the governing body.

The five-time world champion takes over as President after being on the Swimming Australia board of directors since 2016.

Her role will see her lead the charge towards the 2023 Commonwealth Games, 2024 Paris Olympics and 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

With a few changes at board level in recent times – After recently announcing Eugenie Buckley as CEO, Swimming Australia needed to find the right people going forward to take charge during this monumental period

Stockwell said she was honoured to be offered the role and is eager to continue the great success seen at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

“Swimming has played such an important role in my life, and I feel privileged to take on a role that will empower me to give something back to the sport that has provided me with so many opportunities,” Stockwell said.

“With our Olympic and Paralympic athletes continuing to inspire, we have a collective responsibility to fuel the passion of those millions of Australians who love to swim, from the grassroots through to the elite, and continue to unify our broad community.”

“As we begin the journey to Brisbane 2032, we must do everything within our capability to fulfill our vision to be globally admired for our performance in and out of the water.”

Stockwell is considered as many to be one of the greatest female swimmers of all-time.

Alongside her three gold medals and five world championships, the American native held five world records and won 48 National USA Championships.

Stockwell immigrated to Australia after her storied career in swimming and began work with the Queensland Academy of Sport.

She continued her career in Australia and was instrumental as a founding member of Womensport Queensland, she was also awarded the Order of Australia for her work with Women in sport.

Swimming Australia ceo, Eugénie Buckley said, “As an athlete Tracy was an icon of swimming and, in the time since, has forged a path as a champion of change that now sees her as one of the most respected and renowned sporting administrators in the country.”

“If we are to take full advantage of the opportunities afforded to us on the path toward a home Olympic Games then we must have the very best people in our sport, and I have no doubt Tracy’s significant experience and influence will be an enormous asset in her role as President,” Buckley said.