Zhang Yadong, coach of Olympic champion Luo Xuejuan, stepped up as the new head coach of the Chinese swimming team, the Chinese Swimming Association (CSA) confirmed on Wednesday.

Zhang has become famous in China after his protegee Luo won five gold medals in women's breaststroke and medley relay from 2001 and 2003 World Championships.

Zhang entered the national team only after Sydney Olympic Games. He will take in charge of the whole team, not only Luo and his swimmers. Zhang said: "I will not be the coach of Luo. Instead, a new coach will look after her. I will take control of all the swimmers in the team. "

The Chinese swimming team started to get together in Beijing on November 21 with about 170 swimmers, coaches and doctors, including world-class veterans Luo, Qi Hui, Yang Yu and second-string young talents. It is the biggest ever team in history.

However, the previous head coach Zhao Ge was not within the lineup as he is now the director of the Guangdong Swimming Association and head coach of Guangdong team.

Chinese swimming won one gold and one silver in Athens Olympic Games.

"Our target is to win more gold and more medals in 2008 in Beijing!" Zhang said.

Zhang revealed that he will announce a series of new reform and new policy of the team in next week.

(Xinhua News Agency November 25, 2005)