Renowned Japanese synchronized swimming coach Masayo Imura has been appointed coach of the Chinese synchronized swimming team, the Chinese Swimming Association (CSA) said on Sunday.

Yu Li, an CSA official who oversees the national synchronized swimming team, said that both sides have signed a contract, but she refused to reveal the financial terms of the contract.

"Imura and Wang Jie will co-coach the team. Imura's first task will be the Melbourne World Championships starting from March 17, 2007," said Yu.

"Our cooperation starts from January 1, 2007, and the contract can be extended pending our results at the Melbourne worlds," she added.

Dubbed as "Godmother of Synchronize Swimming" in Japan, the 56-year-old Imura previously coached the French national team and a club team in Osaka, Japan.

"Imura is very busy. She will not be a full-time coach for China, and will be traveling a lot between Japan and China before the worlds," said Yu.

"THe most important thing is that we can learn a lot from Imura. We believe that she can take us to a higher place at the Beijing Olympic Games."

China finished sixth in both dual and team events at the Athens Olympic Games in 2004. In Doha, China claimed two titles for the first time in the history of Asian Games.(Xinhuanet)