AT the Guinness pool on Watling Street yesterday the spirit of Michelle Smith was everywhere. "A 50 metre pool for every medal she wins," suggested Kieran Kelleher, a coach at the Cork City Club.
Three hundred wanna be Michelle Smiths and Mark Spitzs are taking part this week in the annual national open swimming championships in Dublin - finely toned young people, out to prove that sublimation can be fun.
"Two hours every day, six days a week, 50 weeks a year," explained Paul McCarthy (17) from the Wexford club. "From 5.30 to 7.30 every morning, except Sunday, and from 4.30 to 6 o'clock every evening," said Sally O'Herlihy (18) from the Trojan club in Dublin.
"I've been training since I was seven," said Clare Nixon (14) from Newtownnards.
"But we have August off every year, to make up for it", continued Sally.
No wonder August is a wicked month. All those swimmers, all that time.
Taking part were entrants from 39 clubs all over the island, including two from the Isle of Man.
"She's going to do an awful lot for Irish swimming, said Sandra Cole, head coach at the Kings Hospital Club in Dublin.
"Brilliant", said Chantal Gibney (15) of the Trojan club. "Amazing," thought Emma Robinson (17) from Coleraine. "When Irish eyes are smiling," crooned the public address system.
No "running, eating, bombing, acrobatics, pushing, ducking, spitting, swimming in the diving area, smoking, back diving, throwing objects," read a notice on the wall.
"There are two kinds of parents," explained Celia Millane, secretary of the Irish Amateur Swimming Association, "Some are really supportive, others don't give a damn." The former eat drink, and sleep in their cars, to further their offspring's ambitions. But "to succeed you must really love it", said Sandra, "Michelle always gave 110 per cent."
"At 15, many of the girls tend to give it up," said Celia. "They suddenly discover the other swimmers are boys."
"Swing low sweet chariot, went the public address, a band of angels coming after me..."
"It can be very difficult to motivate them with all the distractions," said Ger Doyle, coach at the New Ross club, said they "need the excitement of internationals and training camps. That's why funding is so important, more important even than a 50 metre pool."
"It costs me £2,000 each per year so each of my too kids can compete," explained Kieran Kelleher. His daughter, Leonore (13), has held Irish, South African, Welsh, and British titles. She has trained at Pinecrest in Florida, and has to go abroad again to further her talent.
She will soon attend Millfield school in Somerset.
Last night she won the women's 200 metres individual medley in fine style.
Sally Herlihy won the ladies 400 metres medley on Tuesday, one of Michelle Smiths's gold races. Sally's father is Bill O'Herlihy, RTE's very own Mr Atlanta 96.
"He always says he brings me training, but it's really my mother," she said. Bad boy Bill.
