Ankara, May 1 : Turkey has signed Michael Phelps' coach as a consultant on their swimming programme for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

It was reported that Bob Bowman, who guided Phelps to a record 18 gold medals at the Olympics, would help select swimmers and advise the Turkish Swimming Federation on strategies to develop competitors, Turkey's Youth and Sports Ministry said Tuesday, reports Xinhua.

The appointment is part of Turkey's strategy to develop athletes in swimming and other major Olympic events.

An official from the Ministry said Bowman's first task was to select swimmers with potential from some 200,000 youths across Turkey. (IANS)