British Swimming have appointed former USA Swimming team director Dennis Pursley as the new national head coach.

Pursley starts in October and will be charged with guiding the swimming programme to the 2012 Olympics in London, working alongside national performance director Michael Scott.

The American spent 14 years from 1989 as USA national team director, leading the team to the top of the medals table at the three Olympics during that time.

The highlight came at the 2000 Games where the USA claimed 33 medals, 14 of which were gold.

Pursley has also held head coaching roles at the Australian Institute of Sport and in Canada.

While he admits the role will present a challenge, Pursley is optimistic about the future having seen the British team make progress in recent years.

He said: "I'm excited and honoured by this opportunity.

"From the outside looking in, Michael Scott and before him (former performance director) Bill Sweetenham have done an outstanding job in turning the ship around and it is now very much pointing in the right direction.

"What I have observed over recent years is a higher level of intensity and confidence within the British team than I had seen before and this is something that is very encouraging for the future.

"There is still a whole lot of work to be done.

"Michael has continued to move forward concepts such as the intensive training centres and these are a very important step in the right direction.

"Saying that, it's still going to be a very big challenge to get things in place and develop the potential for the next quadrennial."

Scott, who played a significant role in attracting Pursley to the role, said: "He's personally coached some outstanding swimmers and the record books reflect this.

"I'm looking forward to working with him in the future as we take British Swimming to a new level."

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