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{{Infobox swimmer
{{Infobox swimmer
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'''Kieren John Perkins''', [[Medal of the Order of Australia|OAM]] (born 14 August 1973) is a former Australian [[freestyle swimming|freestyle]] [[swimming (sport)|swimmer]]. He specialised in the 1500-metre freestyle and won successive Olympic gold medals in this event in the 1990s. He won his first at the [[1992 Summer Olympics|1992 Olympics]] which he won in world record time and then at the [[1996 Summer Olympics|1996 Olympics]] when he defended his title. In total he won four Olympic medals.<ref name="aoc">{{cite web |url=https://www.olympics.com.au/olympians/kieren-perkins/ |title=Kieren Perkins |publisher=Australian Olympic Committee |access-date=23 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.olympic.org/kieren-perkins |title=Kieren Perkins |publisher=International Olympic Committee |access-date=23 September 2020}}</ref>
'''Kieren John Perkins''' (born 14 August 1973) is an Australian former [[freestyle swimming|freestyle]] [[swimming (sport)|swimmer]]. He specialised in the 1500-metre freestyle and won successive Olympic gold medals in this event in the 1990s. He won his first at the [[1992 Summer Olympics|1992 Olympics]] which he won in world record time and then at the [[1996 Summer Olympics|1996 Olympics]] when he defended his title. In total he won four Olympic medals.<ref name="aoc">{{cite web |url=https://www.olympics.com.au/olympians/kieren-perkins/ |title=Kieren Perkins |publisher=Australian Olympic Committee |access-date=23 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.olympic.org/kieren-perkins |title=Kieren Perkins |publisher=International Olympic Committee |access-date=23 September 2020}}</ref>


==Early life==
==Early life==
Perkins was born in [[Brisbane]], Queensland. He attended [[Indooroopilly]] State Primary School and graduated from [[Brisbane Boys' College]] in the inner city suburb of [[Toowong, Queensland|Toowong]].
Perkins was born in [[Brisbane]], Queensland. He attended [[Indooroopilly]] State Primary School and graduated from [[Brisbane Boys' College]] in the inner city suburb of [[Toowong, Queensland|Toowong]].
He began swimming regularly at age eight as part of his rehabilitation from a serious leg injury incurred after running through a plate glass window.<ref name="sahof"/>
He began swimming regularly at age eight as part of his rehabilitation from a serious leg injury incurred after running through a plate glass window.<ref name="sahof"/>
At age 13 his potential became obvious, and with coach John Carew guiding him he won his first medal at the Australian Championships in Melbourne in 1989.<ref name="sahof"/>
At age 13 his potential became obvious, and with coach John Carew guiding him he won his first medal at the Australian Championships in Melbourne in 1989.<ref name="sahof"/>
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===1990 Commonwealth Games===
===1990 Commonwealth Games===
Perkins's first major international meet was the [[1990 Commonwealth Games]] in Auckland, New Zealand.
Perkins's first major international meet was the [[1990 Commonwealth Games]] in Auckland, New Zealand.
Perkins won the silver medal in the 1500 metre freestyle behind fellow Queenslander [[Glen Housman]].<ref name="sahof"/> Both Housman (14:55.25) and Perkins (14:58.08) broke 15 minutes which was the first time Perkins had recorded a sub-fifteen-minute 1500 metres.
Perkins won the silver medal in the 1500-metre freestyle behind fellow Queenslander [[Glen Housman]].<ref name="sahof"/> Both Housman (14:55.25) and Perkins (14:58.08) broke 15 minutes which was the first time Perkins had recorded a sub-fifteen-minute 1500 metres.


===1991 World Championships===
===1991 World Championships===
There was much expectation around Perkins at the [[Swimming at the 1991 World Aquatics Championships|1991 World Aquatics Championships]] in Perth in the 1500&nbsp;m freestyle, but he was beaten in the final by just 0.22 seconds by German [[Jörg Hoffmann (swimmer)|Jörg Hoffmann]] who set a new world-record time. Perkins swam 14:50.58 which was also far under the previous world record.<ref name="sahof"/>
There was much expectation around Perkins at the [[Swimming at the 1991 World Aquatics Championships|1991 World Aquatics Championships]] in Perth in the 1500&nbsp;m freestyle, but he was beaten in the final by just 0.22 seconds by German [[Jörg Hoffmann (swimmer)|Jörg Hoffmann]] who set a new world-record time. Perkins swam 14:50.58, which was also far under the previous world record.<ref name="sahof"/>


===1992 Olympic Games===
===1992 Olympic Games===
Perkins was favorite for the [[Swimming at the 1992 Summer Olympics – Men's 1500 metre freestyle|men's 1500-metre freestyle]] at the [[1992 Summer Olympics]] in Barcelona, Spain. The fastest qualifier for the final, Perkins broke his own world record by 5 seconds to 14:43.48. This was the only gold medal won by an Australian swimmer at these Games.<ref name="sahof"/>
Perkins was favourite for the [[Swimming at the 1992 Summer Olympics – Men's 1500 metre freestyle|men's 1500-metre freestyle]] at the [[1992 Summer Olympics]] in Barcelona, Spain. The fastest qualifier for the final, Perkins broke his own world record by 5 seconds to 14:43.48. This was the only gold medal won by an Australian swimmer at these Games.<ref name="sahof"/>


Earlier in the meet, Perkins finished second in the 400&nbsp;m final. Russian [[Yevgeny Sadovyi]] representing the Unified Team won the race in a world record time. Perkins also broke the world record as he finished 0.16 behind.<ref name="sahof"/>
Earlier in the meet, Perkins finished second in the 400&nbsp;m final. Russian [[Yevgeny Sadovyi]] representing the Unified Team won the race in a world record time. Perkins also broke the world record as he finished 0.16 behind.<ref name="sahof"/>
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==Peak international career (1993–1996)==
==Peak international career (1993–1996)==
===1994 Commonwealth Games===
===1994 Commonwealth Games===
At the [[1994 Commonwealth Games]] in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, Perkins won four gold medals in the 200&nbsp;m, 400&nbsp;m, 1500&nbsp;m and 4 x 200&nbsp;m freestyle relay all in world record time.<ref name="sahof"/>
At the [[1994 Commonwealth Games]] in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, Perkins won four gold medals in the 200&nbsp;m, 400&nbsp;m, 1500&nbsp;m and 4 x 200&nbsp;m freestyle relay all in world record time.<ref name="sahof"/>


===1994 World Championships===
===1994 World Championships===
Two weeks after the Commonwealth Games, Perkins competed in the [[Swimming at the 1994 World Aquatics Championships|1994 World Aquatics Championships]] in Rome. He won two gold medals in the 400&nbsp;m and 1500&nbsp;m, the 400&nbsp;m in World Record time.<ref name="sahof"/> His 400&nbsp;m and 1500&nbsp;m world records made that year stood until 1999 and 2001 respectively, broken by fellow Australians [[Ian Thorpe]] and [[Grant Hackett]]. His performances in that year earned him the Male World Swimmer of the Year award from [[Swimming World magazine|''Swimming World'']] magazine.
Two weeks after the Commonwealth Games, Perkins competed in the [[Swimming at the 1994 World Aquatics Championships|1994 World Aquatics Championships]] in Rome. He won two gold medals in the 400&nbsp;m and 1500&nbsp;m, the 400&nbsp;m in World Record time.<ref name="sahof"/> His 400&nbsp;m and 1500&nbsp;m world records made that year stood until 1999 and 2001 respectively, broken by fellow Australians [[Ian Thorpe]] and [[Grant Hackett]]. His performances in that year earned him the Male World Swimmer of the Year award from [[Swimming World magazine|''Swimming World'']] magazine.
He later described the Olympic Pool in Rome as his favourite pool.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.talkingwithtk.com/perkins |title=Kieren Perkins |work=Talking with TK |access-date=23 September 2020}}</ref>
He later described the Olympic Pool in Rome as his favourite pool.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.talkingwithtk.com/perkins |title=Kieren Perkins |work=Talking with TK |access-date=23 September 2020}}</ref>


===1996 Olympic Games===
===1996 Olympic Games===
At the time of the [[1996 Summer Olympics]] in Atlanta, Perkins was out of form and long-time Australian rival [[Daniel Kowalski]] was regarded as the favourite. In fact his form was so poor that he almost failed to make the Australian team. Perkins qualified for the [[Swimming at the 1996 Summer Olympics – Men's 1500 metre freestyle|1500-metre freestyle]] final by a mere 0.24 seconds to be the slowest of the top 8 qualifiers, and it was later revealed that before the race he felt unwell and considered not swimming.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/interactives/kieren-perkins-grant-hackett-coming-up-for-air/ |title=Coming up for air |publisher=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]] |date=26 May 2014 |first=Kirstin |last=Murray |access-date=24 September 2020}}</ref> From lane eight, Perkins dominated the race being the only swimmer to go under 15 minutes (14:56.40), again relegating Kowalski, who had to fight all the way and just held off [[Graeme Smith (swimmer)|Graeme Smith]]. Perkins became just the third swimmer to win consecutive gold medals in this event. He became the only Australian since [[Dawn Fraser]] to defend an individual Olympic championship successfully.<ref name="aoc"/>
At the time of the [[1996 Summer Olympics]] in Atlanta, Perkins was out of form and long-time Australian rival [[Daniel Kowalski]] was regarded as the favourite. In fact his form was so poor that he almost failed to make the Australian team. Perkins qualified for the [[Swimming at the 1996 Summer Olympics – Men's 1500 metre freestyle|1500-metre freestyle]] final by a mere 0.24 seconds to be the slowest of the top 8 qualifiers, and it was later revealed that before the race he felt unwell and considered not swimming.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/interactives/kieren-perkins-grant-hackett-coming-up-for-air/ |title=Coming up for air |publisher=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]] |date=26 May 2014 |first=Kirstin |last=Murray |access-date=24 September 2020}}</ref> From lane eight, Perkins dominated the race being the only swimmer to go under 15 minutes (14:56.40), again relegating Kowalski, who had to fight all the way and just held off [[Graeme Smith (swimmer)|Graeme Smith]]. Perkins became just the third swimmer to win consecutive gold medals in this event. He became the only Australian since [[Dawn Fraser]] to defend an individual Olympic championship successfully in Olympics held outside Australia.<ref name="aoc"/>


==Era of Dominance Over (1998–2000)==
==Era of Dominance Over (1998–2000)==
===1998 Commonwealth Games===
===1998 Commonwealth Games===
Perkins carried the flag at the opening ceremony for the [[1998 Commonwealth Games]] held in Kuala Lumpur. In the 1500&nbsp;m freestyle, he won bronze behind 18 year old heir apparent [[Grant Hackett]] and [[Ryk Neethling]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://commonwealthgames.com.au/athletes/kieren-perkins-oam/ |title=Kieren Perkins |publisher=Australian Commonwealth Games Federation |access-date=23 September 2020}}</ref>
Perkins carried the flag at the opening ceremony for the [[1998 Commonwealth Games]] held in Kuala Lumpur. In the 1500&nbsp;m freestyle, he won bronze behind 18 year old heir apparent [[Grant Hackett]] and [[Ryk Neethling]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://commonwealthgames.com.au/athletes/kieren-perkins-oam/ |title=Kieren Perkins |newspaper=Commonwealth Games Australia |date=19 June 2020 |publisher=Australian Commonwealth Games Federation |access-date=23 September 2020}}</ref>


===2000 Olympic Games===
===2000 Olympic Games===
Perkins was in Monte Carlo in 1993 the night Sydney won the right to host the games<ref name="sahof"/> and managed to qualify for his 3rd Olympic Games.
Perkins was in Monte Carlo in 1993 the night Sydney won the right to host the games<ref name="sahof"/> and managed to qualify for his 3rd Olympic Games. Despite being just 27, he was now the elder statesman of the team. It was a reverse of four years earlier where Perkins was the fastest qualifier heading into the final, but Grant Hackett won gold with Perkins winning silver.<ref name="aoc"/> Perkins joined [[Frank Beaurepaire]] as one of two swimmers to win three medals in this event.
Despite being just 27, he was now the elder statesman of the team.
It was a reverse of four years earlier where Perkins was the fastest qualifier heading into the final, but Grant Hackett won gold with Perkins winning silver.<ref name="aoc"/> Perkins joined [[Frank Beaurepaire]] as one of two swimmers to win three medals in this event.


==Legacy==
==Legacy==
With the nickname of ''Super Fish'', Perkins retired from swimming in 2000 having amassed 23 medals at international competitions.
With the nickname of '''Super Fish''', Perkins retired from swimming in 2000, at age 27, having amassed 23 medals at international competitions.
He set 11 world records, holding the 1500&nbsp;m freestyle record for nine years, the 800&nbsp;m for ten years and the 400&nbsp;m freestyle for five years.<ref name="swimaus">{{cite web |url=https://www.swimming.org.au/news-articles/kieren-perkins-appointed-swimming-australia-board |title=Kieren Perkins Appointed to Swimming Australia Board |publisher=Swimming Australia |access-date=23 September 2020}}</ref>
He set 11 world records, holding the 1500&nbsp;m freestyle record for nine years, the 800&nbsp;m for ten years and the 400&nbsp;m freestyle for five years.<ref name="swimaus">{{cite web |url=https://www.swimming.org.au/news-articles/kieren-perkins-appointed-swimming-australia-board |title=Kieren Perkins Appointed to Swimming Australia Board |publisher=Swimming Australia |access-date=23 September 2020}}</ref>
He is the first person in history to hold the Olympic, World, Commonwealth and Pan Pacific titles simultaneously.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ishof.org/kieren-perkins.html |title=Kieren Perkins |website=ISHOF.org |publisher=[[International Swimming Hall of Fame]] |access-date=23 September 2020}}{{dead link|date=March 2022}}</ref>
He is the first person in history to hold the Olympic, World, Commonwealth and Pan Pacific titles simultaneously.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ishof.org/kieren-perkins.html |title=Kieren Perkins |website=ISHOF.org |publisher=[[International Swimming Hall of Fame]] |access-date=23 September 2020 |archive-date=14 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814214408/https://ishof.org/kieren-perkins.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>


He broke over 40 Australian records during a career spanning from 1989 to 2000.<ref name="sahof"/>
He broke over 40 Australian records during a career spanning from 1989 to 2000.<ref name="sahof"/>


Perkins won two of the 16 gold medals Australia won at the 1992 and 1996 Olympic Games. He was one of 6 Australians to win gold medals at both of these Games. Perkins won 2 of the 3 swimming gold Australia won during this time. There was a mythology in Australia with the 1500&nbsp;m freestyle that Perkins revived and brought into modern times. Australian swimmers won Olympic gold in the 1500&nbsp;m from 1956 to 1964 but nothing for 28 years until Perkins broke the drought. Australia has won the event more times than any other nation.
Perkins won two of the 16 gold medals Australia won at the 1992 and 1996 Olympic Games. He was one of 6 Australians to win gold medals at both of these Games. Perkins won 2 of the 3 swimming gold Australia won during this time. There was a mythology in Australia with the 1500&nbsp;m freestyle that Perkins revived and brought into modern times. Australian swimmers won Olympic gold in the 1500&nbsp;m from 1956 to 1964 but nothing for 28 years until Perkins broke the drought. In fact, Australia has won the event more times than any other nation.


==Honours==
==Honours==
In the [[1992 Australia Day Honours|Australia Day Honours of 1992]], Perkins was awarded the [[Medal of the Order of Australia]] (OAM).<ref name="sahof"/>
In the [[1992 Australia Day Honours|Australia Day Honours of 1992]], Perkins was awarded the [[Medal of the Order of Australia]] (OAM).<ref name="sahof"/>


==Awards==
==Awards==
Perkins was named 1992 [[Young Australian of the Year]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.australianoftheyear.org.au/recipients/kieren-perkins/136/ |title=Kieren Perkins |publisher=Australian of the Year |access-date=23 September 2020}}</ref>
Perkins was named 1992 [[Young Australian of the Year]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.australianoftheyear.org.au/recipients/kieren-perkins/136/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806014134/https://australianoftheyear.org.au/recipients/kieren-perkins/136/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 August 2020 |title=Kieren Perkins |publisher=Australian of the Year |access-date=23 September 2020}}</ref>
Also named an [[Australian Living Treasures|Australian Living Treasure]], he was inducted into the [[Sport Australia Hall of Fame]] in 2002.<ref name="sahof">{{cite web |url=https://sahof.org.au/hall-of-fame-member/kieren-perkins/ |title=Kieran Perkins |publisher=Sport Australia Hall of Fame |access-date=24 September 2020}}</ref> In 2009 Perkins was inducted into the Queensland Sport Hall of Fame.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mr Kieren Perkins OAM |url=http://www.qsport.org.au/qshof/biography.asp?ID=12 |work=Queensland Sport Hall of Fame |publisher=qsport.org.au |access-date=20 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140126085402/http://qsport.org.au/qshof/biography.asp?ID=12 |archive-date=26 January 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Also in 2009 as part of the [[Q150]] celebrations, Kieren Perkins was announced as one of the [[Q150 Icons]] of Queensland for his role as a "sports legend".<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://statements.qld.gov.au/statement/id/64301 |title=PREMIER UNVEILS QUEENSLAND'S 150 ICONS |last=Bligh |first=Anna |author-link=Anna Bligh |date=10 June 2009 |publisher=[[Queensland Government]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170524033717/http://statements.qld.gov.au/statement/id/64301 |archive-date=24 May 2017 |access-date=24 May 2017}}</ref>
Also named an [[Australian Living Treasures|Australian Living Treasure]], he was inducted into the [[Sport Australia Hall of Fame]] in 2002.<ref name="sahof">{{cite web |url=https://sahof.org.au/hall-of-fame-member/kieren-perkins/ |title=Kieran Perkins |publisher=Sport Australia Hall of Fame |access-date=24 September 2020}}</ref> In 2009 Perkins was inducted into the Queensland Sport Hall of Fame.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mr Kieren Perkins OAM |url=http://www.qsport.org.au/qshof/biography.asp?ID=12 |work=Queensland Sport Hall of Fame |publisher=qsport.org.au |access-date=20 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140126085402/http://qsport.org.au/qshof/biography.asp?ID=12 |archive-date=26 January 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Also in 2009 as part of the [[Q150]] celebrations, Kieren Perkins was announced as one of the [[Q150 Icons]] of Queensland for his role as a "sports legend".<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://statements.qld.gov.au/statement/id/64301 |title=PREMIER UNVEILS QUEENSLAND'S 150 ICONS |last=Bligh |first=Anna |author-link=Anna Bligh |date=10 June 2009 |publisher=[[Queensland Government]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170524033717/http://statements.qld.gov.au/statement/id/64301 |archive-date=24 May 2017 |access-date=24 May 2017}}</ref>
Perkins was awarded an honorary degree by the [[University of Queensland]].<ref name="swimaus"/>
Perkins was awarded an honorary degree by the [[University of Queensland]].<ref name="swimaus"/>


==Post swimming career==
==Post-swimming career==
Since his retirement, he has occasionally worked in the broadcast media. He joined [[National Australia Bank]] in 2009.<ref name="starlight">{{cite web |url=https://starlight.org.au/what-we-do/our-stories/ambassador/kieren-perkins |title=Kieren Perksin |publisher=Starlight Foundation |access-date=23 September 2020}}</ref> Perkins was part of the team that conducted a review of the Australian swimming team at the [[2012 Olympics]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Kieren Perkins Harvard MBA Tim Ford Join Australian Swim Review |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2012-09-25/kieren-perkins-harvard-mba-tim-ford-join-australian-swim-review |access-date=23 September 2020 |publisher=Bloomberg}}</ref>
Since his retirement, he claims to have not even recreationally swum due to a bad back.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Marshall |first=Konrad |date=2023-09-29 |title=Superfish out of water: Kieren Perkins' plans for changing Aussie sport |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/superfish-out-of-water-kieren-perkins-plans-for-changing-aussie-sport-20230831-p5e0xq.html |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://www.audible.com/ |title=Audible.com {{!}} Try Audible Free Today |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Hamish & Andy: 2024 Ep 246 - The Worst Keep It Or Delete It EVER!? on Apple Podcasts |url=https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/2024-ep-246-the-worst-keep-it-or-delete-it-ever/id213334232?i=1000651308917 |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=Apple Podcasts |language=en-AU}}</ref> Professionally, he has occasionally worked in the broadcast media. He joined [[National Australia Bank]] in 2009.<ref name="starlight">{{cite news |url=https://starlight.org.au/what-we-do/our-stories/ambassador/kieren-perkins |title=Kieren Perksin |newspaper=Starlight |date=3 December 2014 |publisher=Starlight Foundation |access-date=23 September 2020}}</ref> Perkins was part of the team that conducted a review of the Australian swimming team at the [[2012 Olympics]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Kieren Perkins Harvard MBA Tim Ford Join Australian Swim Review |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2012-09-25/kieren-perkins-harvard-mba-tim-ford-join-australian-swim-review |access-date=23 September 2020 |newspaper=Bloomberg|date=25 September 2012 }}</ref>
In November 2020, Perkins was appointed as President of [[Swimming Australia]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.swimming.org.au/news-articles/perkins-appointed-swimming-australia-president |title=Perkins appointed Swimming Australia President |publisher=[[Swimming Australia]] |date=7 November 2020 |access-date=7 November 2020}}</ref>
In November 2020, Perkins was appointed as President of [[Swimming Australia]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.swimming.org.au/news-articles/perkins-appointed-swimming-australia-president |title=Perkins appointed Swimming Australia President |publisher=[[Swimming Australia]] |date=7 November 2020 |access-date=7 November 2020}}</ref>
He was a director of the [[Starlight Foundation]].<ref name="starlight"/>
He was a director of the [[Starlight Foundation]].<ref name="starlight"/>


On 17 December 2021, Perkins was named the new CEO of the [[Australian Sports Commission]], overseeing [[Sport Australia]] and the [[Australian Institute of Sport]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mark |first1=David |title=Kieren Perkins named new Australian Sports Commission CEO |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-12-17/keiren-perkins-named-new-australian-sports-commission-ceo/100709412 |access-date=17 December 2021 |agency=ABC}}</ref>
On 17 December 2021, Perkins was named the new CEO of the [[Australian Sports Commission]] and the [[Australian Institute of Sport]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mark |first1=David |title=Kieren Perkins named new Australian Sports Commission CEO |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-12-17/keiren-perkins-named-new-australian-sports-commission-ceo/100709412 |access-date=17 December 2021 |agency=ABC}}</ref> Perkins is an outspoken critic of the so-called "[[Enhanced Games]]", an Olympic-style sports competition that would permit [[Doping in sport|doping]], saying in March 2024 at a SportNXT conference in Melbourne: "Someone will die if we allow that sort of environment to continue to foster and flourish."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-19 |title=Olympic great Kieren Perkins slams concept of doping Enhanced Games |url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/more-sports/olympic-great-kieren-perkins-slams-concept-of-doping-enhanced-games/news-story/bbe102a873ca7320b4723b573bdc91b1 |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=Fox Sports |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-03-19 |title='Someone will die': Kieren Perkins hits out at Enhanced Games proposal as momentum builds |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-03-19/kieren-perkins-hits-out-at-enhanced-games-proposal/103604496 |access-date=2024-04-12 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}</ref><ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hNHHmBtjkw |title=Olympic great Kieren Perkins blasts Enhanced Games, saying 'someone will die' |language=en |access-date=2024-04-12 |via=www.youtube.com}}</ref>


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Perkins married in 1997 and has three children, Harry, Georgia and Charlie, with ex-wife Symantha. In June 2012 Perkins announced he and Symantha had separated.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sharp |first1=Annette |title=How the Perkins' marriage hit troubled waters |url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/how-the-perkins-marriage-hit-troubled-waters/story-e6frexni-1226380969822 |access-date=2017-02-16 |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=2012-06-02}}</ref> In October 2014, Perkins married Karen Davis in [[Positano]], Italy.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kieren Perkins marries in Italy |url=http://www.easyweddings.com.au/blogs/celebrity-weddings/kieren-perkins-marries-italy |website=Easy Weddings |publisher=Easy Weddings |access-date=2017-02-16}}</ref>
Perkins married in 1997 and has three children, Harry, Georgia and Charlie, with ex-wife Symantha. In June 2012, Perkins announced he and Symantha had separated.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sharp |first1=Annette |title=How the Perkins' marriage hit troubled waters |url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/how-the-perkins-marriage-hit-troubled-waters/story-e6frexni-1226380969822 |access-date=2017-02-16 |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=2012-06-02}}</ref> In October 2014, Perkins married Karen Davis in [[Positano]], Italy.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kieren Perkins marries in Italy |url=http://www.easyweddings.com.au/blogs/celebrity-weddings/kieren-perkins-marries-italy |website=Easy Weddings |access-date=2017-02-16}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
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==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.icmi.com.au/Speaker/Sports_Olympic/Kieren_Perkins Kieren Perkins's Complete Biography]
* [https://www.icmi.com.au/kieren-perkins/ Kieren Perkins's Complete Biography]
* {{IMDb name}}
* {{IMDb name}}


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{{s-ach|rec}}
{{s-ach|rec}}
{{succession box|before=[[Vladimir Salnikov]]|
{{succession box|before=[[Vladimir Salnikov]]|
title=[[World record progression 800 metres freestyle|Men's 800 metres freestyle<br>world record holder (long course)]]|years=5 August 1991 – 26 March 2001 |after=[[Ian Thorpe]]}}
title=[[World record progression 800 metres freestyle|Men's 800 metres freestyle<br>world record holder (long course)]]|years=5 August 1991 – 26 March 2001 |after=[[Ian Thorpe]]}}
{{succession box|before=[[Uwe Dassler]]|
{{succession box|before=[[Uwe Dassler]]|
title=[[World record progression 400 metres freestyle|Men's 400 metres freestyle<br>world record holder (long course)]]|years=3 April 1992 – 29 July 1992 |after=[[Yevgeny Sadovyi]]}}
title=[[World record progression 400 metres freestyle|Men's 400 metres freestyle<br>world record holder (long course)]]|years=3 April 1992 – 29 July 1992 |after=[[Yevgeny Sadovyi]]}}
{{succession box|before=[[Jörg Hoffmann (swimmer)|Jörg Hoffmann]]|
{{succession box|before=[[Jörg Hoffmann (swimmer)|Jörg Hoffmann]]|
title=[[World record progression 1500 metres freestyle|Men's 1500 metres freestyle<br>world record holder (long course)]]|years=5 April 1992 – 29 July 2001 |after=[[Grant Hackett]]}}
title=[[World record progression 1500 metres freestyle|Men's 1500 metres freestyle<br>world record holder (long course)]]|years=5 April 1992 – 29 July 2001 |after=[[Grant Hackett]]}}
{{succession box|before=[[Yevgeny Sadovyi]]|
{{succession box|before=[[Yevgeny Sadovyi]]|
title=[[World record progression 400 metres freestyle|Men's 400 metres freestyle<br>world record holder (long course)]]|years=11 September 1994 – 22 August 1999 |after=[[Ian Thorpe]]}}
title=[[World record progression 400 metres freestyle|Men's 400 metres freestyle<br>world record holder (long course)]]|years=11 September 1994 – 22 August 1999 |after=[[Ian Thorpe]]}}
{{s-ach}}
{{s-ach}}
{{succession box|title=[[Swimming World Swimmers of the Year|World Swimmer of the Year]]|before=[[Károly Güttler]] |after=[[Denis Pankratov]]|years=1994}}
{{succession box|title=[[Swimming World Swimmers of the Year|World Swimmer of the Year]]|before=[[Károly Güttler]] |after=[[Denis Pankratov]]|years=1994}}
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[[Category:Swimmers from Brisbane]]
[[Category:Swimmers from Brisbane]]
[[Category:People educated at Brisbane Boys' College]]
[[Category:People educated at Brisbane Boys' College]]
[[Category:Olympic swimmers of Australia]]
[[Category:Olympic swimmers for Australia]]
[[Category:Swimmers at the 1990 Commonwealth Games]]
[[Category:Swimmers at the 1990 Commonwealth Games]]
[[Category:Swimmers at the 1992 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Swimmers at the 1992 Summer Olympics]]
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[[Category:Commonwealth Games bronze medallists for Australia]]
[[Category:Commonwealth Games bronze medallists for Australia]]
[[Category:Commonwealth Games medallists in swimming]]
[[Category:Commonwealth Games medallists in swimming]]
[[Category:Medallists at the 1990 Commonwealth Games]]
[[Category:Medallists at the 1994 Commonwealth Games]]
[[Category:Medallists at the 1998 Commonwealth Games]]
[[Category:Australian Swimmers of the Year]]
[[Category:Australian Swimmers of the Year]]
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[[Category:World record setters in swimming]]
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[[Category:Recipients of the Medal of the Order of Australia]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Medal of the Order of Australia]]
[[Category:Sport Australia Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:Sport Australia Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:20th-century Australian sportsmen]]
[[Category:Sportsmen from Queensland]]
[[Category:Q150 Icons]]

Latest revision as of 00:50, 15 December 2024

Kieren Perkins
OAM
Personal information
Full nameKieren John Perkins
National team Australia
Born (1973-08-14) 14 August 1973 (age 51)
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Height194 cm (6 ft 4 in)
Weight90 kg (198 lb)
Sport
SportSwimming
StrokesFreestyle
ClubCommercial Swimming Club
Medal record
Men's swimming
Representing Australia
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 1992 Barcelona 1500 m freestyle
Gold medal – first place 1996 Atlanta 1500 m freestyle
Silver medal – second place 1992 Barcelona 400 m freestyle
Silver medal – second place 2000 Sydney 1500 m freestyle
World Championships (LC)
Gold medal – first place 1994 Rome 400 m freestyle
Gold medal – first place 1994 Rome 1500 m freestyle
Silver medal – second place 1991 Perth 1500 m freestyle
Pan Pacific Championships
Gold medal – first place 1991 Edmonton 400 m freestyle
Gold medal – first place 1991 Edmonton 800 m freestyle
Gold medal – first place 1991 Edmonton 1500 m freestyle
Gold medal – first place 1993 Kobe 400 m freestyle
Gold medal – first place 1993 Kobe 800 m freestyle
Gold medal – first place 1993 Kobe 1500 m freestyle
Gold medal – first place 1995 Atlanta 1500 m freestyle
Silver medal – second place 1995 Atlanta 800 m freestyle
Silver medal – second place 1991 Edmonton 4×200 m freestyle
Silver medal – second place 1993 Kobe 4×200 m freestyle
Commonwealth Games
Gold medal – first place 1994 Victoria 200 m freestyle
Gold medal – first place 1994 Victoria 400 m freestyle
Gold medal – first place 1994 Victoria 1500 m freestyle
Gold medal – first place 1994 Victoria 4×200 m freestyle
Silver medal – second place 1990 Auckland 1500 m freestyle
Bronze medal – third place 1998 Kuala Lumpur 1500 m freestyle

Kieren John Perkins (born 14 August 1973) is an Australian former freestyle swimmer. He specialised in the 1500-metre freestyle and won successive Olympic gold medals in this event in the 1990s. He won his first at the 1992 Olympics which he won in world record time and then at the 1996 Olympics when he defended his title. In total he won four Olympic medals.[1][2]

Early life

[edit]

Perkins was born in Brisbane, Queensland. He attended Indooroopilly State Primary School and graduated from Brisbane Boys' College in the inner city suburb of Toowong. He began swimming regularly at age eight as part of his rehabilitation from a serious leg injury incurred after running through a plate glass window.[3] At age 13 his potential became obvious, and with coach John Carew guiding him he won his first medal at the Australian Championships in Melbourne in 1989.[3]

Early international career (1990–1992)

[edit]

1990 Commonwealth Games

[edit]

Perkins's first major international meet was the 1990 Commonwealth Games in Auckland, New Zealand. Perkins won the silver medal in the 1500-metre freestyle behind fellow Queenslander Glen Housman.[3] Both Housman (14:55.25) and Perkins (14:58.08) broke 15 minutes which was the first time Perkins had recorded a sub-fifteen-minute 1500 metres.

1991 World Championships

[edit]

There was much expectation around Perkins at the 1991 World Aquatics Championships in Perth in the 1500 m freestyle, but he was beaten in the final by just 0.22 seconds by German Jörg Hoffmann who set a new world-record time. Perkins swam 14:50.58, which was also far under the previous world record.[3]

1992 Olympic Games

[edit]

Perkins was favourite for the men's 1500-metre freestyle at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. The fastest qualifier for the final, Perkins broke his own world record by 5 seconds to 14:43.48. This was the only gold medal won by an Australian swimmer at these Games.[3]

Earlier in the meet, Perkins finished second in the 400 m final. Russian Yevgeny Sadovyi representing the Unified Team won the race in a world record time. Perkins also broke the world record as he finished 0.16 behind.[3]

Perkins was the Australian flag bearer at the closing ceremony.[3]

Peak international career (1993–1996)

[edit]

1994 Commonwealth Games

[edit]

At the 1994 Commonwealth Games in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, Perkins won four gold medals in the 200 m, 400 m, 1500 m and 4 x 200 m freestyle relay all in world record time.[3]

1994 World Championships

[edit]

Two weeks after the Commonwealth Games, Perkins competed in the 1994 World Aquatics Championships in Rome. He won two gold medals in the 400 m and 1500 m, the 400 m in World Record time.[3] His 400 m and 1500 m world records made that year stood until 1999 and 2001 respectively, broken by fellow Australians Ian Thorpe and Grant Hackett. His performances in that year earned him the Male World Swimmer of the Year award from Swimming World magazine. He later described the Olympic Pool in Rome as his favourite pool.[4]

1996 Olympic Games

[edit]

At the time of the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Perkins was out of form and long-time Australian rival Daniel Kowalski was regarded as the favourite. In fact his form was so poor that he almost failed to make the Australian team. Perkins qualified for the 1500-metre freestyle final by a mere 0.24 seconds to be the slowest of the top 8 qualifiers, and it was later revealed that before the race he felt unwell and considered not swimming.[5] From lane eight, Perkins dominated the race being the only swimmer to go under 15 minutes (14:56.40), again relegating Kowalski, who had to fight all the way and just held off Graeme Smith. Perkins became just the third swimmer to win consecutive gold medals in this event. He became the only Australian since Dawn Fraser to defend an individual Olympic championship successfully in Olympics held outside Australia.[1]

Era of Dominance Over (1998–2000)

[edit]

1998 Commonwealth Games

[edit]

Perkins carried the flag at the opening ceremony for the 1998 Commonwealth Games held in Kuala Lumpur. In the 1500 m freestyle, he won bronze behind 18 year old heir apparent Grant Hackett and Ryk Neethling.[6]

2000 Olympic Games

[edit]

Perkins was in Monte Carlo in 1993 the night Sydney won the right to host the games[3] and managed to qualify for his 3rd Olympic Games. Despite being just 27, he was now the elder statesman of the team. It was a reverse of four years earlier where Perkins was the fastest qualifier heading into the final, but Grant Hackett won gold with Perkins winning silver.[1] Perkins joined Frank Beaurepaire as one of two swimmers to win three medals in this event.

Legacy

[edit]

With the nickname of Super Fish, Perkins retired from swimming in 2000, at age 27, having amassed 23 medals at international competitions. He set 11 world records, holding the 1500 m freestyle record for nine years, the 800 m for ten years and the 400 m freestyle for five years.[7]

He is the first person in history to hold the Olympic, World, Commonwealth and Pan Pacific titles simultaneously.[8]

He broke over 40 Australian records during a career spanning from 1989 to 2000.[3]

Perkins won two of the 16 gold medals Australia won at the 1992 and 1996 Olympic Games. He was one of 6 Australians to win gold medals at both of these Games. Perkins won 2 of the 3 swimming gold Australia won during this time. There was a mythology in Australia with the 1500 m freestyle that Perkins revived and brought into modern times. Australian swimmers won Olympic gold in the 1500 m from 1956 to 1964 but nothing for 28 years until Perkins broke the drought. In fact, Australia has won the event more times than any other nation.

Honours

[edit]

In the Australia Day Honours of 1992, Perkins was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).[3]

Awards

[edit]

Perkins was named 1992 Young Australian of the Year.[9] Also named an Australian Living Treasure, he was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 2002.[3] In 2009 Perkins was inducted into the Queensland Sport Hall of Fame.[10] Also in 2009 as part of the Q150 celebrations, Kieren Perkins was announced as one of the Q150 Icons of Queensland for his role as a "sports legend".[11] Perkins was awarded an honorary degree by the University of Queensland.[7]

Post-swimming career

[edit]

Since his retirement, he claims to have not even recreationally swum due to a bad back.[12][13][14] Professionally, he has occasionally worked in the broadcast media. He joined National Australia Bank in 2009.[15] Perkins was part of the team that conducted a review of the Australian swimming team at the 2012 Olympics.[16] In November 2020, Perkins was appointed as President of Swimming Australia.[17] He was a director of the Starlight Foundation.[15]

On 17 December 2021, Perkins was named the new CEO of the Australian Sports Commission and the Australian Institute of Sport.[18] Perkins is an outspoken critic of the so-called "Enhanced Games", an Olympic-style sports competition that would permit doping, saying in March 2024 at a SportNXT conference in Melbourne: "Someone will die if we allow that sort of environment to continue to foster and flourish."[19][20][21]

Personal life

[edit]

Perkins married in 1997 and has three children, Harry, Georgia and Charlie, with ex-wife Symantha. In June 2012, Perkins announced he and Symantha had separated.[22] In October 2014, Perkins married Karen Davis in Positano, Italy.[23]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "Kieren Perkins". Australian Olympic Committee. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
  2. ^ "Kieren Perkins". International Olympic Committee. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Kieran Perkins". Sport Australia Hall of Fame. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
  4. ^ "Kieren Perkins". Talking with TK. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
  5. ^ Murray, Kirstin (26 May 2014). "Coming up for air". ABC News. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
  6. ^ "Kieren Perkins". Commonwealth Games Australia. Australian Commonwealth Games Federation. 19 June 2020. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
  7. ^ a b "Kieren Perkins Appointed to Swimming Australia Board". Swimming Australia. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
  8. ^ "Kieren Perkins". ISHOF.org. International Swimming Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on 14 August 2020. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
  9. ^ "Kieren Perkins". Australian of the Year. Archived from the original on 6 August 2020. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
  10. ^ "Mr Kieren Perkins OAM". Queensland Sport Hall of Fame. qsport.org.au. Archived from the original on 26 January 2014. Retrieved 20 January 2014.
  11. ^ Bligh, Anna (10 June 2009). "PREMIER UNVEILS QUEENSLAND'S 150 ICONS". Queensland Government. Archived from the original on 24 May 2017. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
  12. ^ Marshall, Konrad (29 September 2023). "Superfish out of water: Kieren Perkins' plans for changing Aussie sport". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  13. ^ Audible.com | Try Audible Free Today.
  14. ^ "Hamish & Andy: 2024 Ep 246 - The Worst Keep It Or Delete It EVER!? on Apple Podcasts". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  15. ^ a b "Kieren Perksin". Starlight. Starlight Foundation. 3 December 2014. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
  16. ^ "Kieren Perkins Harvard MBA Tim Ford Join Australian Swim Review". Bloomberg. 25 September 2012. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
  17. ^ "Perkins appointed Swimming Australia President". Swimming Australia. 7 November 2020. Retrieved 7 November 2020.
  18. ^ Mark, David. "Kieren Perkins named new Australian Sports Commission CEO". ABC. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  19. ^ "Olympic great Kieren Perkins slams concept of doping Enhanced Games". Fox Sports. 19 March 2024. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  20. ^ "'Someone will die': Kieren Perkins hits out at Enhanced Games proposal as momentum builds". ABC News. 19 March 2024. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  21. ^ Olympic great Kieren Perkins blasts Enhanced Games, saying 'someone will die'. Retrieved 12 April 2024 – via www.youtube.com.
  22. ^ Sharp, Annette (2 June 2012). "How the Perkins' marriage hit troubled waters". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 16 February 2017.
  23. ^ "Kieren Perkins marries in Italy". Easy Weddings. Retrieved 16 February 2017.

Further reading

[edit]
  • Carew, J., et al. (1997) "Kieren Perkins". Sydney, Pan Macmillan, ISBN 0-330-35866-9.
[edit]
Records
Preceded by Men's 800 metres freestyle
world record holder (long course)
5 August 1991 – 26 March 2001 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Men's 400 metres freestyle
world record holder (long course)
3 April 1992 – 29 July 1992 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Men's 1500 metres freestyle
world record holder (long course)
5 April 1992 – 29 July 2001 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Men's 400 metres freestyle
world record holder (long course)
11 September 1994 – 22 August 1999 		Succeeded by
Awards and achievements
Preceded by World Swimmer of the Year
1994 		Succeeded by


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