The two-time Olympic gold medallist will go to London as an athlete liaison officer (ALO) with an Australian team that could include fellow pool stars Geoff Huegill, Ian Thorpe and Michael Klim, all of whom have signalled their intentions to compete in 2012.

Perkins, considered one of the greatest 1,500 metres swimmers of all-time, says former Olympians have a valuable role to play as mentors for young athletes.

"I'll be there to support the 450 athletes on our team," said the 37-year-old from Brisbane, who won Olympic gold medals at Barcelona in 1992 and Atlanta in 1996.

"I don't think the older guys will need my help but I am looking forward to working with the younger team members in a mentoring role.

"I was very lucky before the Barcelona Olympics, my first games, to have a long conversation with Murray Rose, in terms of the psychology of coping with the pressure of the situation and understanding how you deal with all of the excitement and everything that's generated around the Olympics."

Perkins is in famous company; Wallabies great John Eales, former cricket captain Steve Waugh and surfing star Layne Beachley are all acting as ALOs in London.

He replaces basketball legend Andrew Gaze, who has accepted a media role in London.

"We fully understand Andrew's position and we are fortunate to be in a position to have another champion athlete in Kieren available to fill the role," Australian Chef de Mission Nick Green said in a statement.

"Kieren's win at the 1996 Atlanta Games is one of the greatest moments in Australian Olympic history.

"Most people know where they were on that particular day when he overcame adversity to claim one of the most memorable gold medal victories ever.

"To have him join John, Steve and Layne on our team for London is a great positive for all of us."