British Swimming has agreed a four-year rights deal with the BBC to broadcast swimming and other aquatic sports in the run up to the 2012 Olympics, the Commonwealth Games 2014 and beyond.

The governing body will also be partnering with the BBC to launch the Big Splash, a UK-wide mass-participation campaign, in a bid to get people into the pool.

David Sparkes, British Swimming chief executive, said: "The BBC has worked with swimming for many years and we welcome this renewed commitment from them as we follow the journey of our elite athletes to the Games in London and beyond."