DARWEN-born swimming chief Deryk Snelling believes Britain's swimmers can make a big impact in this month's Millennium Olympics.

Snelling reckons his team are going into the event with the prospect of picking up around five medals -- two more than they won at the last Games in Atlanta.

But the outgoing British performance director insists they could also walk away empty-handed just as easily -- such will be the strength of the competition in Sydney.

"We've got quite a few swimmers who could get onto the podium while I am sure we will be very strong in some of the relays," said Snelling, who will head back home to Canada after the Games.

"If we don't come away with any medals, then I hope that is not taken the wrong way.

"If you look at the points table, that I am sure will show we are an improving nation.

"This team is as strong as any we have ever had. More planning has gone into these Games than Britain has ever done before.

"We have moved on in the last four years, but then so have other nations and I think this will be a highwater Olympics for swimming.

"It is taking place in a perfect climate, in perfect facilities and with a perfect crowd who really understand swimming."

All eyes are likely to centre on Sydney wonderboy Ian Thorpe, however, over the next few weeks

The Australian teenager is tipped to shatter his own world records in the 200 metres and 400m freestyle where Britain's Paul Palmer has been given the awesome task of trying to stop him. Thorpe, whose size 17 feet match his age, will also be aiding the home nation's expected gold rush in the relays though he will not be able to match the magnificent seven titles Mark Spitz claimed in Munich in 1972.

But Snelling reckons that won't stop Thorpe emerging as the star of a Games he believes will be the best ever witnessed .

"If Thorpe swims to the form he is in at the moment then he will be out of reach," said Snelling. "He will be as big in these Games as Spitz was in Munich.

"Thorpe has already shown that he is a special talent and he could do great things in Sydney.

"The only way he can be beaten is if he makes a mistake or is not right psychologically, perhaps if the pressure gets to him.

"If that does happen then there are three or four guys who can beat him and Paul is one of them.

"Paul is a proven championship swimmer as he showed in Atlanta when he won the silver medal in the 400m free.

"Paul is looking very strong, very confident at the moment. He is a great athlete, but he obviously faces a tough challenge."