O'Brien replaces Danny Corcoran, who resigned last month after six years at Athletics Australia to join new Super Rugby franchise Melbourne Rebels as their general manager of rugby operations.

O'Brien has spent the last 18 years working for international sports management company IMG.

He won the Stawell Gift, Australia's oldest and richest handicap sprint, in 1983.

"Athletics is a sport I have a huge passion for," said O'Brien.

"This, combined with my commercial experience in sport, means I believe I can make a real difference."

Athletics Australia received 54 applications for the position.

"It's an exciting opportunity to continue the excellent work that [President] Rob Fildes, Danny Corcoran and the whole Athletics Australia team are doing at the moment," O'Brien said.

"I look forward to working with the many stakeholders within the entire athletics community and, most importantly, to throwing my total support behind the very talented Australian athletics team, the Flame."

A former fitness advisor to St Kilda Football Club and Board Director of the Victorian Athletic League, O’Brien launched IMG’s Athletics and Fitness division in 2000 and went on to record major successes within the Australian triathlon, ironman and recreational running arenas.

In 2006 O’Brien negotiated the purchase of the Melbourne Marathon and in just four years increased participation numbers by 480 per cent.

Fildes hailed the appointment of O'Brien, who will officially take over on June 15, as a coup for Australian track and field.

"Athletics Australia is very excited by the appointment of Dallas O’Brien from a very large field of quality candidates and I’m sure Dallas will continue the excellent work Danny Corcoran has achieved in his six years in the sport," he said.

"Dallas brings much commercial knowledge and valuable experience from his position as Director of Athletics and Fitness for the Asia-Pacific region with IMG, and we look forward to Dallas enjoying a very successful future with Athletics Australia."


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April 2010: Athletics Australia chief executive resigns to take up new role in rugby