SYDNEY (AP) – Two-time Canadian Olympic champion Alex Baumann is leaving his role as Chief Executive Officer of Swimming Australia for health reasons.
This was announced by Swimming Australia on Monday. The 57-year-old Baumann was only appointed to the position in April and took up his new duties a month later.
“As a two-time cancer survivor, I appreciate the importance of health and family. . . I know that the timing is difficult, but I know that I now have to use this time for myself and my family, “Baumann was quoted in a statement. Further details of his illness were not disclosed.
Baumann won gold medals in the 200- and 400-meter individual medals for Canada at the 1984 Games in Los Angeles.
Baumann had conducted a review of Swimming Australia’s operations amid controversy that flared up ahead of the Tokyo Games. SA formed an independent panel to investigate allegations of bullying and abuse of swimmers.
The news comes after the Australian swim team won 20 medals, nine of which were gold, in Tokyo. This was the second after the United States won a total of eleven gold and 30 medals.
Swimming Australia President Kieren Perkins, a 1,500 meter gold medalist at the 1992 and 1996 Olympics, said its board of directors would appoint an interim CEO and initiate a recruitment process.
