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3 months ago
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He has been largely out of the limelight since he became an Aussie sporting legend after winning gold in stunning fashion at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta - and 'Superfish' Kieren Perkins still looks fit some 28 years later.
The CEO of the Australian Sports Commission posed with TV identity Mark Beretta in Paris on Thursday, and the veteran Channel Seven sports presenter was clearly impressed.
Taking to Instagram, Beretta posted the image of the duo, which featured the Eiffel Tower in the background.
Beretta captioned the photo: 'When an Olympic legend comes to visit at the Games it’s pretty special! Great to see @Olympics Gold Medallist Kieren Perkins @Paris 2024. The Sports Commission CEO is flat out here.'
Perkins, 50, was born in Brisbane and started swimming squad training aged eight as part of his rehabilitation from a serious leg injury after running through a plate-glass window as a youngster.
His talent was obvious and Perkins snared his first medal as a teenager at the Australian Championships in 1989 before heading to the Barcelona Olympics three years later as the men's favourite in the 1500m freestyle.
The Queenslander delivered in Spain, touching the wall in a slick 14:43.48.
Kieren Perkins is pictured (middle) after winning the 1500m at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996
Perkins won from lane eight in the US to stun the field and back up his win at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona
These days Perkins is CEO of the Australian Sports Commission (pictured left, with TV personality Mark Beretta in Paris this week)
Four years later was arguably Perkins' biggest feat in the pool.
Out of form and fortunate to qualify for the final - from lane eight - in Atlanta, Perkins showed his class when it mattered, blitzing the field to win Olympic gold again.
The swim for the ages ensured Perkins' status as an Olympic legend - and incredibly, he backed up to compete at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 as an 'elder statesman' in the Dolphins squad at the age of 27.
Fellow Aussie Grant Hackett denied Perkins a historic three-peat in the 1500m final as he finished with a silver medal - but his legacy remained.
After retiring from swimming in 2000, Perkins was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame two years later.
In 2020, Perkins was appointed president of Swimming Australia (SA) before taking on his current role of CEO of the Australian Sports Commission.
Perkins has courted controversy in recent years after declaring transgender athletes are 'incredibly misunderstood' in his eyes.
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