Sydney is already on Smith's horizon

JUST a couple of weeks ago, the Americans - and the rest of the world, apart from a few aficionados in Europe where she had already plundered golden loot - were blissfully unaware of Michelle Smith. Now, she's a household name; the biggest individual winner to emerge from the Georgia Tech Aquatic Centre.

In Ireland, to a public largely ignorant of the sacrifices and demands that competitive swimming inflicts on its devotees, she's very much a hero. A rags to riches story. In America, while one section remains hesitant to embrace her, another has slowly, but surely, come to appreciate her talents. And her dedication.

Yesterday, Smith spent a considerable amount of her time hopping from one interview chair to another to appease the demand of broadcasters from around the globe who wished to spread the gospel according to the Irish woman.

Unfortunately, print media attempts to meet up with her didn't go quite so well, and emphasised the heightened security awareness in downtown Atlanta in the aftermath of Saturday's bomb. On arrival in the Sheraton Colony Hotel over half an hour before the appointed time, a burly officer informed us "we have a security situation, here." A bomb scare.

Thirty minutes later, the security men gave the all-clear - but there was to be an unsuccessful wait for the arrival of Ireland's Olympian. Still, life goes on and, for Smith, the future appears extremely bright. Both financially and in the pool.

A number of endorsement offers - from Ireland, Europe and the United States - have already winged their way to Smith's manager, Kathy Stapleton. Over the coming weeks, Smith, who will take a couple of weeks rest from the pool, and her husband and coach Erik de Bruin intend to discuss the various offers with Stapleton.

Prior to the Olympics, Smith's main sponsors were TNT, Bord na Gaeilge and Colet, while the Olympic Council of Ireland also proved to be generous backers - totally justified in the light of her four-medal haul, three golds and a bronze. Her earning potential over the next 12 months or so could reach over £500,000.

Smith doesn't intend to rest on her laurels, either. The European championships take place in Budapest next year, the home of her great rival Krisztina Egerszegy, and she will be defending her 200 metres individual medley and 200 metres butterfly titles.

The 26-year-old Dubliner has no intentions of retiring prior to the next Olympics in Sydney, either, although she will be four years older. "A few years ago, it wouldn't have been possible for women swimmers to race in their late 20s or 30s," said Smith. "However, training methods have changed greatly and I feel I will be able to compete in Australia."