Cunningham, who won one gold medal and four silver at the Barcelona 1992 Paralympic Games, will begin her role at the BPA on June 20.

She will support the British Paralympic team in their preparations for Tokyo 2020, in areas including education, anti-doping, safeguarding and the BPA's Athletes' Commission.

The 40-year-old, who later switched to triathlon, expressed her delight at being appointed to the BPA.

"I am so pleased to have secured this role at the BPA and can't wait to get started," she said.

"I'm really looking forward to using the knowledge and experience that I have gained as an athlete to help support the BPA's strategy ahead of Tokyo 2020 and into future Games.

"This role covers a number of areas that are hugely important to me, and I'm highly committed to helping the organisation provide invaluable support to British athletes ahead of the Paralympic Games to help them deliver personal best performances."

BPA's head of performance Nik Diaper added: "I'm absolutely delighted to be welcoming Clare to the team after completing a very thorough and competitive recruitment process.

"The athlete services manager is a crucial role which ensures that our sports and athletes are best prepared for the Paralympic Games.

"Clare's insight and experience will be crucial in delivering a world-leading support programme to British athletes."

After retiring from Para-swimming in 2006, Cunningham competed in Para-triathlon and won four International Triathlon Union World Championship medals before competing at Rio 2016.

She currently holds a role as a non-executive director at the British Triathlon Federation, and is completing a Master of Science degree in Sport and Exercise Psychology at Loughborough University.