Zhang Yadong is set to step down as China's national swimming coach after achieving success at last week's Japan Open short course swimming championships.

China won seven gold medals at the tournament, with Beijing Games 400m freestyle silver medalist Zhang Lin racking up a hat trick. In five of the seven events, the Chinese matched the third best times of the season.

Coach Zhang, who mentored Athens Olympic breaststroke champion Luo Xuejuan then led the national team to one gold, three silver and two bronze medals at the Beijing Games last summer, will now serve as the vice-president of a sports academy in Zhejiang province.

"Before the Beijing Olympics, I told myself that if the team failed to win a gold, I would continue to work in the post until the next Olympics," he said. "But if we did it (win at the Games), I would leave soon afterwards," added Zhang, who will be replaced by his long-time assistant Yao Zhengjie.

"I own too much to my family, my son, my mother and my wife. The Beijing Games was a success for the swimming team and it made me feel relieved. Now I hope to spend more time with my family."

Though the reshuffle has yet to be officially announced, a chief official from the swimming body confirmed Zhang's appointment. He also praised the coach's achievements over the past four years.

"He did an excellent job during his four-year tenure," said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity. "He led the team to achieve its goals at the Beijing Olympics and he produced a group of strong swimmers for the future."

(China Daily Feburary 25, 2009)