American hero on the crest of a wave

HE ain't your typical swimmer, that's for sure. The spartan goatee beard is the type sported by teenage Leaving Cert students on the fringes of manhood, while the gold ear ring in his left ear gives the impression of a rebel attempting to break free.

Nothing could be further from the truth he is certainly no rebel.

Tom Dolan is not your typical swimmer, but it has nothing to do with his dresssense. As an asthma sufferer and, so, unable to use many medicines which are on the IOC's list of banned substances the superstar in the making, the marketing man's dream ticket, is being touted by American parents to their kids as an example of what hard work and dedication can achieve.

If all his plans work out Do Ian could be walking away from Atlanta with a sackful of medals. The nice guy from Michigan who dabbles in rap music and answers to the name of "MC Mass Confusion" is the official spokesperson for the American Lung Association but starting Sunday, all his efforts will be focused on emulating predecessors in the Olympic pool.

Men such as Mark Spitz and Matt Biondi kept American swimmers to the fore front in the past, and 6ft 6in Dolan is following in their wake.

In 1994 he became the first man since Spitz, in 1972, to win four events in the American nationals. Last year, he became the first swimmer, since Biondi in 1987, to break three American records in the championships.

Atlanta could propel him to worldwide prominence. Dolan is favourite to win the 400 metre individual medley on Sunday, an event in which he holds the world record of 4 minutes 12.30 seconds.

Can the magical 4.10 barrier go? "Who knows? Anything is possible," he smiled. "My main priority is to win, but maybe the record can go, as well." Only Finland's Jani Sievinen, it seems, is a realistic threat.

But Dolan is also the man they all have to beat in the subsequent 400 metres free style and the 200 metres medley "That is probably my poorest event, I don't concentrate enough on sprints and I'm still learning.

World records could well tumble in the process. He could garner three individual gold medals to take home to Ann Arbor, Michigan.

He is not your typical 20 year old. Dolan speaks with maturity and an articulation beyond his years. The beard hides a scar on his chin incurred when the front wheel on his bike fell away when he was 10 or 11. Since then, he has suffered his share of scares due to his frequent attacks of asthma.

And into the bargain, Dolan was diagnosed as suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome earlier this season. All around me, my family, my coach, were falling apart when they were informed by the doctor. I am mentally tough, however, and I knew I could fight back. It is one area where I don't break. I can handle most things," he said.

Dolan has needed to be tough. While the chronic fatigue is a more recent problem, he has battled against asthma since he was 12 years old. Apparently it is an exercise induced asthma, so the more I exercise, the worse it gets. I've had some really bad days, like in Paris some years ago during the world junior championships," he explained.

Even on the morning of his world record beating performance in the world championships at Rome in 1994, Dolan admitted to feeling "really bad." However, that night he experienced "no problems. It's strange how it goes.

What about the heat and humidity in Atlanta? "Well, they don't help," he said. "But such conditions are far better than freezing cold."

The American agreed he could probably go even faster if he could avail of some medications which are on the banned list to ease his asthma. However, he is very much anti drugs.

"I'd love to say the sport is clean, but it is honestly hard to say that about any sport now. My only answer is to get in the water and do the best I can."

He added. There is definitely a greater drug awareness now, however, and I think the authorities have done a great job with the frequency and intensity of drug testing".

As the American hero in home waters, there is likely to be great pressure on Dolan to collect some medals. He is aware of such high expectations, but doesn't appear worried or weighed down.

"I know that the other seven guys in the final will be out to beat me, the American. I wouldn't expect it any other way. Personally, I think it is great that swimming is such a worldwide sport. It has changed since the days of (Mark) Spitz. The United States has a great, great tradition in swimming, but I am part of a new generation, a different set of swimmers. And I like that," he said.

"The days when just two or three countries dominated swimming are gone, and there is now a lot more depth in the sport. That gives it its own uniqueness, I think."

Dolan, too is quite unique. And, if he manages to collect his anticipated haul of medals and become the big star of the Georgia Tech Aquatic Centre, he'll be quite rich too. The marketing men are already chasing him. A few medals will help his bargaining power even more.

And then, he can thank his sister. The only reason he started swimming was because he wanted to beat her.