John McBeth: The day Danyon walked on water

What is that girl on?"

This brief comment is one of my favourites from more than 25 years of sports broadcasting.

It came from Anthony Mosse, my fellow-commentator during the women's 400m freestyle at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, when Irish swimmer Michelle Smith blitzed the field.

It was such an emphatic victory that practically everyone had questions about the win and her staggering improvement.

Mosse had no doubts and his "what is that girl on?" comment was typical of someone who had competed at the highest level, was respected and willing to say what he thought.

Smith won three gold and a bronze in Atlanta, but the following year was banned for use of illegal substances.

But this is all about another race in the Atlanta pool - one that produced New Zealand's first Olympic swimming gold medallist.

Danyon Loader was in the final of the 200m freestyle and Mosse and myself, along with the New Zealand swim team, were uncontrollably excited. Coaches Mark Bone, Brett Naylor and Duncan Laing tried to contain their feelings, but it was clear they expected something special from Loader.

Loader had raced his heat superbly and was in lane five for the final. Against him were Gustavo Borges, of Brazil, the world short-course champion Josh Davis, of the United States, and two Australians, Daniel Kowalski and Michael Klim.

The New Zealander was so relaxed.

At a pre-Olympic meet in Santa Clara he had won the 200m and 400m against some very good Americans and had looked extremely impressive. But it was the way he prepared in Atlanta that had caught attention. He did not want to talk to many people, especially in the media. He was focused, insular and relaxed.

When he went to the blocks it was clear the pony-tailed Kiwi was in great shape, physically and mentally.

There are days when everything turns out perfectly and for Loader this was the day.

Mosse recognised it: "John, I guarantee New Zealanders will be proud of Loader today. He looks excellent."

I wondered if Mosse was losing the plot. It is all very well getting excited and being positive, but nothing could shake Anthony from his conviction that Loader would win gold on this day.

When the swimmers hit the water we were all concentration. I remember developing one of those stress-headaches, I was so wound up.

Loader was a picture of smoothness in that pool.

Mosse commented about how high he was in the water.

"The challengers are coming, Borges and Kowalski," I warned.

"But off the final touch, watch Loader's leg drive ... That's his strength," countered Mosse.

He was right. Loader was all class. No one in the world was going to push him on this day.

"Loader's going to get a gold medal here," screamed my now upright fellow commentator, even though there were still 35m to go.

He stood up so quickly the headpiece with microphone he was wearing was nearly ripped from his head, as the too-short cord stretched to the limit. I grabbed it in time. He didn't notice.

I had plenty of words, phrases in my mind for the win if it happened. But I had to put my hand over Anthony's mouth to get a word in.

"Gold for New Zealand. Gold for Danyon Loader. He has the golden touch," was about all I had time for.

Loader turned and waved. A rare moment of expression from him. If he had looked up at the commentary area he would have seen two TVNZ callers embracing, then sitting stunned at the achievement we had witnessed.

It took an Australian commentator offering his congratulations to bring us to our senses.

Offering us congratulations! Hell, all we had done was talk.

Three days later: "Loader again has the golden touch." He won the 400m so convincingly it appeared he knew he had the race won with 30m to go. Loader had achieved his goal. Two gold medals.

He relaxed with everyone and was happy to chat with the media. His was a performance we can never forget, and I was glad, and proud, to be there.