Victorian Institute of Sport announces former Olympian as new Chief Executive

Nicole Livingstone, three-time Olympian, has commenced in her role as the new Chief Executive of the Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS).

Livingstone succeeds Anne Marie Harrison, who stepped down last month after leading the organisation for 18 years. Livingston’s appointment marks the third person to take on the role in the institute’s 34 year history.

Victorian Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos today welcomed Livingstone back to the VIS as its new Chief Executive, after a period at the AFL where she was general manager of women’s football for seven years.

Minister Dimopoulos noted “Nicole is a passionate advocate for up-and-coming athletes, and she knows how the Victorian Institutes of Sport works like the back of her hand – from a personal and professional perspective. There is no one better placed to back and support our next generation of Australian athletes.”

Back in 1990, when the VIS was first established by the Labor Government, Livingstone was one of the first athletes granted a scholarship for swimming.

A backstroker in her competitive days, Livingstone won a bronze medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and bronze and silver medals at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

Following her retirement from competitive swimming, she embarked on a successful career in sports broadcasting and administration and has served on a number of sporting boards.

At the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games, the VIS sent 122 Victorian athletes from across the state. These Victorian athletes returned to Australia with a total of 23 medals – five gold, four silver and 14 bronze.

VIS board chair Nataly Matijevic added “the members of the VIS board are pleased to welcome Nicole to our organisation and very confident that we will be extremely well led as we work towards the Olympics and Paralympics in Brisbane in 2032.”

For more information about the Victorian Institute of Sport, go to vis.org.au.