British head coach Dennis Pursley has hit out at suggestions Rebecca Adlington's favoured event could be dropped from the Olympic programme.

 

The women's 800m freestyle could be replaced by a 1500m event for 2012.

 

Adlington won the event in Beijing in 2008, five days after taking a surprise 400m freestyle gold.

 

"I oppose the suggestion this could be introduced for London 2012 while our athletes are in the middle of their Olympic training cycle," said Pursley.

 

Possible changes to events will be up for consideration at a meeting of world governing body Fina in January, and recommendations will be made to the International Olympic Committee.

 

The move aims to make the women's Olympic swimming programme mirror that of the men.

 

The IOC has barred the addition of new races, so Fina must remove events to add new ones.

 

Pursley, who was head coach of US Swimming for 14 years, said he is not opposed to the idea in the long-term but does not want a change made before the London Games.

 

"Athletes and coaches use the entire four-year cycle to prepare for an Olympic Games and to change this now would be unfair," he explained.

 

"We are comfortable for the women's 1,500m to be introduced at the 2016 Olympic Games.

 

"But to introduce it for 2012 would undermine all of the work put in by the athletes and coaches who have been working toward competing in the 800m in London."

 

BBC Sport