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wimming Australia CEO, Alex Baumann, has announced he will step down from the role due to health reasons.

Baumann, who became the organisations’ CEO in April, announced the decision immediately following Australia’s most successful Olympic Games performance in swimming history.

“I’m proud of my contribution to swimming,” Baumann said.

“My time at Swimming Australia, including the results at the Tokyo Olympics, will forever be a career highlight.

“As a two-time cancer survivor, I appreciate how important health and family are.

“I’ve been so pleased with the performance of our Olympians and excited for our para-swimmers who depart for Tokyo next week.

“I recognise the timing is difficult but I know I must take this time for myself and my family now,” he said.

Swimming Australia president, Kieren Perkins, said Baumann leaves the organisation with the gratitude and support of the board.

“Alex [Baumann] has been integral to our success from his experience in high performance as well as his leadership within our organisation,” Perkins said.

“We’re sad to see [him] go.

“This is a great loss for our sport, but we understand his reasons for leaving and thank him for everything he has done at Swimming Australia.

“We understand health is more important than anything else.

“We wish him and his family all the best for the future,” he said.

On Swimming Australia’s turnaround from the Olympics to the Paralympics, Perkins said the organisation is focused on supporting the Paralympic swimmers over the coming weeks, with the board to appoint an interim CEO and begin the recruitment process.

“Our next CEO will be tasked with leading Swimming Australia into the new era of swimming, with a focus on safe, elite performance and community engagement as we turn our attention to Paris 2024,” Perkins said.