By Tom Degun

Adam-PineFebruary 13 - Swimming Australia have announced the appointment of three-time Olympian Adam Pine as their new Paralympic high performance manager, where he will now be responsible for leading the programme for the country's top disabled swimmer in the lead up to Rio 2016.


Pine has been at Swimming Australia for almost seven years where he has held various senior roles including sport development manager, community sport general manager and most recently strategic relations general manager.

He will now work closely with the Australian Paralympic Committee (APC) to help the country maintain their status as one of the world's top disability swimming nations.

At the London 2012 Paralympics Australia finished second on the swimming medal table behind China with 37 medals, 18 of which were gold, while Jacqueline Freney, the 20-year-old from Queensland who has cerebral palsy, won eight gold medals to prove the most decorated swimmer at the Games.

"I feel this role is a perfect fit for me with my years of experience in high performance swimming as an athlete and my grassroots experience managing the community sport and inclusive swimming programmes," Pine said.

"I will aim to pass on my attitude to excellence and take a holistic approach to improve all areas and aspects of Paralympic swimming.

"I see some challenges ahead, but that being said, I have already had some positive discussions with the APC and will work closely with them and the diverse stakeholders of coaches, swimmers and other agencies to face these challenges head on.

"I understand the importance of continuing our success and look forward to the challenges and new responsibility this role will bring."

JacquelineFreneyAustralia’s Jacqueline Freney proved the most decorated swimmer at the London 2012 Paralympics as she stormed to eight gold medals

Pine's appointment has been welcomed by APC chief executive Jason Hellwig, who believes the former swimmer will bring a wealth of experience to the role.

"As a former athlete who has reached the pinnacle of his sport, Adam understands the everyday pressures experienced by athletes juggling training with study and work, and with years of experience in developing community swimming programmes, he also has a strong administrative background," said Hellwig, who was also Australia's Chef de Mission at London 2012.

"Australian Paralympic swimming is critical to the success of the wider Australian Paralympic team which is one of the reasons why Adam's role is so important."

The first major event on Pine's agenda will be the 2013 International Paralympic Committee (IPC) World Swimming Championships in Montreal, Canada this August.

The Championships, which is due to take place from August 11 until 17 at Montreal's Parc Jean Drapeua Aquatic Complex, will be the first major gathering of international athletes since London 2012 with around 650 of the world's best swimmers from 50 countries expected to attend.

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