Smith smiles her way into the heart of America

SHE'S just a freckle faced, red haired girl. But the curiosity factor and the suspicious minds of the great American public are changing quickly. Michelle Smith is win fling them over and not just by pocketing gold medals.

Articulate. Sharp. And, more frequently, smiling. Less than a week ago, no one in the US had ever heard of her. Now, almost miraculously, Smith's face is as likely to peer from a newspaper page or a television screen as US swimming hero Tom Dolan's. Or even Janet Evans's.

When Evans, a four time Olympic gold medalist and hitherto the USA swim team's dream girl, filed to make the 400 metres freestyle final on Monday, she was greeted by a fan at pool side. "Hey, Janet, you're still the greatest," she was told. The truth is, she isn't. A swimmer from a country on the other side of the Atlantic has taken her place.

And importantly, with such a profile, the markets of the world's most sports addicted country could also open up for Smith. In Ireland, her potential to cash in on her Olympic success is huge. But if she can crack the American market too, then her earning potential is limitless.

Smith has asked that "all people of Irish heritage share in my success". The word is set to spread.

Already yesterday, the telephone calls from America, Europe and, indeed, Ireland had started to sound on Bell South's lines into Atlanta. The world is opening up for the best all round swimmer.

The hard nosed Americans are singing a different tune, too. Shucks! Even the local Atlanta Journal Constitution a publication unafraid to proclaim its jingoism with the centennial Olympic Games taking place on its doorstep admitted "the greatest swimmer is a three time Olympian from a nation with no 50 metre pools".

Smith's composure and denials when faced with unfounded accusations of taking performance enhancing drugs was equally impressive. A noticeable mood swing was evident, the listeners sucking in her words like humid Atlanta air.

But others were prepared to speak on her behalf, too. People like Canadian coach Deryk Snelling, who has worked with Smith at high performance camps in Calgary.

never coached a tougher girl ... I'd be very careful about saying she's doing anything illegal," he said.

The USA director of swimming also added his tuppence worth. "God help any athlete that has a significant drop in swimming these days because they are probably going to be accused of something," said Ray Essick.

In the interim, the army is growing. The Tricolours proliferate. And the Smith family, too, has increased its presence in Atlanta, the rest of the clan arriving yesterday to team up with parents Pat and Brian.

Tonight's 200 metre individual medley is the Dubliner's so called weakest discipline of the four events she decided to compete in at these Olympic Games. Maybe there will be another medal to celebrate tonight.

Whatever, there is still her "strongest" event the 200 metre butterfly to come on Friday. Another party seems certain somewhere alone the way.