British swimming coach Ian Armiger believes the opening of a state-of-the-art pool at Loughborough University will help Britain's chances of Olympic gold in Athens.

Swimmers from Loughborough secured 18 medals at this summer's Commonwealth Games in Manchester, effectively placing the university ninth in the final medals table.

Swimming remains the university's strongest discipline, their golden charge headed by James Gibson, who led home an English clean sweep in the 50 metres breaststroke.

Armiger claimed: "There is no doubt that British swimming success in the past could be said to have come despite, rather than because of, the facilities.

"We can train long-course in a bright and new environment and this can only help as we move on towards Athens.

"We are anxious and desperate that British swimmers win Olympic medals in the future and that they believe they can be successful on the world stage."