Simon Hollingsworth resigns as ASC chief

Australian Sports Commission boss Simon Hollingsworth has quit as the organisation's chief executive after five years in the position.

Hollingsworth played a key role in introducing the controversial Winning Edge funding program, and is the first administrator to step down after Australia's lowest medal haul at an Olympic Games in 24 years.

But Hollingsworth insisted he had made the call to return to Melbourne in a Victorian Government role before Rio.

"I made this decision prior to the Rio Olympics and chose to wait until after its completion to make this announcement to avoid any distraction," he said.

"Now is the right time to take the next step in my career.

"When I joined the Commission I said that my two career passions are sport and public policy. It has been an honour and a privilege to lead the ASC for the past five years."

Hollingsworth will remain as the commission's CEO until the end of September before director Matt Favier takes over in an interim role.

He is credited for improving sports governance and implementing a new school sports program.