From a young age, Nicole quickly became a dominant force in backstroke in Australia, winning the 50m, 100m and 200m Australian long course titles at just 15-years-old. From there, Nicole won the 100m backstroke a total of ten times during 1987-1996 – a record that remains today.
Nicole won dual gold medals in the 100m and 200m backstroke at the Pan Pacific Championships Brisbane in 1987 – the first of her four golds and 14 medals in total at the Pan Pacs.
Selected for the 1988 Seoul Olympics having just turned 17, Nicole finished 5th and 7th in the 100m and 200m backstroke respectively, lighting the fire within that saw her go own to win two golds and a silver at the Commonwealth Games in 1990, before setting a short course world record for the 200m backstroke at an ASC Grand Prix meet in Melbourne in 1992.
Later that year, at the Barcelona Olympics, Nicole won individual bronze in the 200m backstroke.
At the 1994 Commonwealth Games in Victoria, Canada, Nicole won an incredible four gold medals (100m and 200m backstroke, 4x100m medley, 4x200m freestyle) and one silver (200m backstroke) to bring her career Commonwealth Games medal tally to eight, including six golds.
In her final year of professional competition, Nicole bagged two more Olympic medals at the 1996 Atlanta Games – silver in the 4x100m medley and silver in the 4x200m freestyle.
Retiring from competition, Nicole then directed her time and passion into the media, and soon to become one of the industry’s most successful ex-athlete presenters. She began her media career in 1996 with Channel Nine’s programs, Wide World of Sports and Sports Saturday as well as providing expert commentary on the Commonwealth Games.
Throughout 2006 to 2008, Nicole continued her role with Channel Nine and in 2009 joined Network Ten Sport. She has since become a consistent panelist on Channel Ten’s, The Project
More recently, 2017 saw Nicole become the host of the ABC’s weekly show, The Sideliners.
Whilst her professional careers in both sport and the media are to be marvelled at, her roles in the business and charity realm also boast excellence.
Alongside sister Karen Livingstone, Nicole established Ovarian Cancer Australia, after their mother passed away from the disease.
Furthermore, Nicole’s business interests revolve around sport and health as she fulfils various director and board roles. These include being a board member of Swimming Australia, the Australian Olympic Committee, Sport Australia Hall of Fame, as well as being the Deputy Chair of VicHealth.
In December of 2017, Nicole was appointed as CEO of Women’s Football (AFLW), the first woman in charge of the sport. With a resume boasting passion, experience and class, Nicole will look to continue the growth of the ever-growing AFLW.
Nicole was fantastic. She fitted right in, spoke to guests and made everyone feel special. What an amazing person who fits into all situations with all people. Nicole was more than an MC she ... keep reading QUIT
Nicole's presentation was very engaging. All attendees had nothing but great things to say about it.
Excellent. Nicole was a pleasure to work with. She is very friendly, open and passionate and really held the attention of the audience. Nicole got fully involved in the evening and mingled with guests after the awards were over
Nicole was a great speaker - she was very interesting and very inspirational. We received very good feedback from our clients who attended this event. It was great that Nicole was willing to share with us such personal information about her life
Nicole had the audience eating out of the palms of her hands. She was engaging, witty, down to earth, and absolutely entertaining
Nicole was a perfect choice for our event, the Yarra Valley Water Safety Fun Days. Her passion for safety in the water really shone though, due to her experience as a mum to twins and as a professional swimmer. Nicole presented herself extremely well, and this was commented on by numerous attendees at our launch
