Peyrebrune will work closely with British Swimming head coach Bill Furniss and head of science and sports medicine Karl Cooke as technical lead on the programme with the aim of creating a more coordinated approach to athlete performance training and development.

"I'm excited to be joining such an outstanding senior leadership team," said Peyrebrune, who will officially start his position on March 1.

"High level swimming is something I've always been involved with, first as a competitor and then through coaching and sports science so it's great to be offered this role.

"Everyone at British Swimming is dedicated to helping our athletes achieve the success they deserve at Olympic level and I'm looking forward to working closely with Bill Furniss and Karl Cooke in playing my part."

Peyrebrune has been working with Britain's top swimmers as a sports scientist, including Olympic double gold medallist Rebecca Adlington, for the past decade while also supporting programmes with a number of clubs and organisations throughout the UK including the English Institute of Sport.

"I am very excited to have Mike join our sport science and medicine team in this crucial role to create clear, joined-up thinking between coaching and our sport science programme," said Cooke.

"I look forward to working with him to drive the performance of our athletes to a higher level."

Double Olympic champion Rebecca Adlington has criticised British Swimming in the past for acting too slowly in replacing former head coach Dennis Pursley ©AFP/Getty Images



Peyrebrune is the latest in a line of appointments made by British Swimming as it seeks to rebuild following a disappointing two years which saw British swimmers collect just one silver and two bronze medals at London 2012, followed by a solitary bronze for Fran Hallsall at last year's World Championships in Barcelona.

Last week, Former England and British and Irish Lions player Nigel Redman was appointed to oversee elite coach development while Tim Jones, who led British Gymnastics to their most successful Olympic campaign at London 2012, was appointed head of performance pathway last August.

That followed on from Furniss taking over as British Swimming's head coach from American Dennis Pursley post-London 2012, while Chris Spice was appointed national performance director, replacing Michael Scott who resigned from the post in November 2012.

"Mike has a wealth of knowledge and technical expertise in performance swimming and will help develop the connectivity between our coaches, sport scientist and swimmers," said Furniss.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related Stories
February 2014: Former England rugby player Redman appointed to lead role at British Swimming
August 2013: British Swimming add gymnastics head of performance to management team
August 2013: British Swimming will make changes after worst World Championships for 15 years, promises head coach
June 2013: British Swimming look to Adlington to pull them from doldrums as major changes are promised
February 2013: Furniss and Spice chosen to lead British Swimming to Rio 2016