Former heptathlete Jane Flemming has been appointed President of Athletics Australia ©Getty Images

Jane Flemming, Olympian and double Commonwealth champion, has been unanimously appointed as President of Athletics Australia at the federation’s Annual General Meeting in Melbourne.

Flemming, 58, who won heptathlon and long jump gold at the Auckland 1990 Commonwealth Games and competed at two Olympics, succeeds outgoing President Jan Swinhoe, who has ended her nine-year maximum term.

"It’s an absolute honour and a privilege to be elected as President of Athletics Australia," Flemming said.

"It has been wonderful to give back to the sport that is so close to my heart over the last four years in my role as vice-president, and it is incredibly exciting to be able to step up and contribute even more on the eve of another Olympic and Paralympic Games.

"The sport of athletics has everything going for it - the biggest participation sport in the world, a truly global sport, diverse and inclusive, with literally no barriers to participation.

"It is also a sport that has led the way with regard to gender equality.

Athletes such as Paralympic and Commonwealth wheelchair racing champion Madison de Rozario have helped raise the profile of Athletics Australia in recent years, says the federation's newly-appointed President, Jane Flemming ©Getty Images
Athletes such as Paralympic and Commonwealth wheelchair racing champion Madison de Rozario have helped raise the profile of Athletics Australia in recent years, says the federation's newly-appointed President, Jane Flemming ©Getty Images

"It’s been exciting to see the likes of Nina Kennedy and Madison de Rozario, amongst others, celebrated as world leaders in what has been a breakthrough few years for our Australian team.

"Athletics has long set a great example with the same events at the same meets, with equal prize money - true equality for women in sport, 100 years before other sports introduced or elevated their women.

"The priority of the Board now is to maximise all that is great about our sport on the runway to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games and beyond.

"The opportunity of a home Games enables a reset for all within our sport - a chance for athletes, coaches, officials, along with key stakeholders, alumni and management to align and work in unison to one shared vision."

Flemming is the founding managing director of sponsorship and marketing company Flemming Promotions.

She has worked across all of Australia’s commercial free-to-air television networks, the Olympic Broadcast Service and radio in Olympic, Commonwealth and World Championships commentary roles.

Two vice-presidents were appointed - Jill Davies and Brian Miller, and two new Board members confirmed in John Lamont and Dr Anna Cicognani.

A legal practitioner with more than 30 years experience in the public and private sectors, Lamont brings with him an extensive background in Government policy and stakeholder engagement.

Cicognani is currently the chief executive of Orbx, a leading flight simulation company, and has previously worked for companies including Telstra and Fairfax.