IRELAND's swimming sensation Michelle Smith has told of her fear following the Centennial Park bombing.

The 26 year old triple gold winner was out on the town celebrating with her husband, Erik de Brain, after completing her four race assault on the Olympic titles with a bronze in the 200m butterfly.

She said they began hearing news of the bombing as they were out in Atlanta with friends.

"I saw footage a couple of years ago when terrorists tried to disrupt the games," she said. "It was very frightening and I thought about it last night when there was so much commotion.

"We were quite scared and we just wanted to get back to the Village as soon as possible because we knew we would be safe there.

"All the athletes feel safe in the Village because there are so many security people. The security there is very good."

She said athletes who still had to compete under the shadow of terrorism must "shut the whole thing out".

She added. "They will have to try and put what is happening outside the Village out of their minds and focus on the job they are doing and concentrate on winning an Olympic medal. It will be the greatest moment of their lives."