The 38-year-old represented Britain at Athens 2004, Beijing 2008 and London 2012 to win two gold medals in world record times in the 4x100 metres freestyle relay at both the Athens and Beijing Games.

Edmunds recently retired from competitive swimming following last summer's Games on home soil and said he is delighted to take up his new role, where he will represent all aquatic disciplines.

"I have got a lot out of swimming in the past 21 years and now I want to put something back," he said.

"This is a great opportunity for me to get involved and improve the communication between the athletes and the board.

"I never really appreciated how much work the Board put into the sports and its athletes until I went to the meetings.

"My key aim will be to improve the communication process all the way through from athlete to the right people at Board level."


In October 1998 Edmunds was knocked off his motorcycle whilst riding to work on the A4.

His injuries were so severe that doctors considered amputating both of his legs and believed that he would never walk again.

He spent three months with his legs in casts before beginning swimming again as part of his physiotherapy routine and, because he had limited movement in his ankle joints, he qualified as a disabled swimmer in the S10 category.

In addition to his Paralympic success, Edmunds is an International Paralympic Committee (IPC) European champion, winning gold in the 4x100m freestyle relay in 2009 - he also took bronze in the 50m freestyle and silver in the 4x100m medley relay at that same tournament.

He also has two World Championships bronze medals to his name.

"Through my previous role at the Swimming Competitors Association and then taking part in the Heroes Tour last year, I made some great contacts across all the disciplines and have a much greater understanding of the difference disciplines," Edmunds added.

"I hope my new role will breakdown any previous barriers and create a greater understanding between the two groups."

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