Olympics Soling sailor Barry Parkin will oversee Britain's Olympic campaign for the next four years.

The Royal Yachting Association announced management plans for Athens 2004 with Parkin taking over as chairman of the Olympic Steering Group.

This is the policy committee that developed the medal-winning strategies for Savannah 1996 and Sydney 2000 - Parkin competed in the two games himself with Titchfield sailor Andy Beads-worth and Richard Sydenham.

In 1996, Britain's Soling crew came fourth but, last September, they were most disappointing by coming in outside the top five.

The partnership came to an end after the Olympics with an ISAF world ranking of three and a gold medal won at the 2000 Soling Euro-pean match racing regatta, as well as bronze at the Soling world matchracing championships.

Other members of the OSG are Olympians David Howlett and David Campbell-James, ex- Olympic coach Rob Andrews and RYA racing manager John Derbyshire.

The RYA will review the appointment of a new Olympic manager within 12 months.

Until this appointment is made, and with immediate effect, RYA Olympic Development Squad manager Stephen Park, who coached Ian Barker and Simon Hiscocks to their silver medal at the Sydney Olympics, will take on the role.

His job, in addition to his current responsibilities, will include implementing any OSG squad policies and supporting team members across each of the 11 Olympic disciplines. He will also sit on the OSG.