Glenn Tasker, the man behind the success of last year's Sydney 2000 Olympic and Paralympic swimming competitions, was today named the new Chief Executive officer of Australian Swimming Inc.

Mr Tasker, 49, succeeds retiring executive director Mrs Vena Murray, who will stand down at the end of the year after 11 years at the helm of Australia's most successful Olympic sport.

The former NSW Swimming executive director, will officially take over the reins of his new position on January 2, when he leaves his current role as general manager of the NSW Amateur Soccer Association.

Mr Tasker, who controlled NSW Swimming between 1990 and 1998, and a man with 14 years experience in sports administration, said today he could not wait to start his role.

"I'm very excited, and looking forward to starting in January," Mr Tasker said today after his position was announced by Australian Swimming president Mr John Devitt at ASI's annual general meeting in Adelaide.

"There has been so much great work done in swimming, I suppose my main aim will be in the short term to consolidate that work and then to ensure that the sport is in the best possible shape as we push into the 21st century," said Mr Tasker.

"I have been involved with the sport over the past 12 years and have witnessed first hand its successes and I'm looking forward to the challenge of maintaining that success.

"I have worked closely with the coaches, the swimmers, administrators and volunteers throughout that time and believe I have a good feel for the sport."

Mr Tasker was one of the unsung heroes of the success of last year's Olympic and Paralympic Swimming competitions and also the success of the 1999 Pan Pacific Championships in Sydney