Perkins, Kieren (1973-…), was a champion Australian swimmer who established numerous world records. Perkins won races ranging in length from the 200-meter freestyle to his signature race, the 1,500-meter freestyle.
Perkins won medals at the Summer Olympic Games in 1992, 1996, and 2000. In those games, he won a total of four medals—two gold and two silver. At the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, Spain, he won the gold medal in the 1,500-meter freestyle event and a silver medal in the 400-meter freestyle event. Perkins won a gold medal in the 1,500-meter freestyle at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia, in the United States. At the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia, he won a silver medal in the 1,500-meter freestyle.
Perkins also enjoyed success at the Commonwealth Games. He won a silver medal at the 1990 Commonwealth Games in New Zealand, four gold medals at the 1994 Commonwealth Games in Canada, and a bronze medal at the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Malaysia. In 1991 and 1994, Perkins won a total of two gold medals and one silver medal at the FINA World Championships. FINA, the organization governing international competitive swimming, is now called World Aquatics.
Kieren John Perkins was born on Aug. 14, 1973, in Brisbane, Queensland. He retired as a competitive swimmer following the 2000 Olympic Games.
