MICHELLE Smith has done it again. Spirit. Dedication. Glory. The 26 year old Dubliner, for the third time in five days, brought salted tears to a growing band of Irish supporters in the humidity of the Georgia Tech Aquatic centre in Atlanta last night.
A third gold medal. Unprecedented. Unlikely ever to be, repeated again. And, with her "strong" event, the 200 metres butterfly to come, who is to say that Smith - already Ireland's greatest ever Olympian - cannot add even further to the tally?
They're still scratching their heads, trying to come to terms with Smith's impact on ah Olympic Games just five days old and beset by logistical and organisational problems. But Smith has evaded all the hassle. Got on with things, and assumed the mantle as the athlete of the Games. Already.
As one out of breath Australian journalist managed to exclaim, rushing from his poolside seat to spread the word, "She's not just an Irish story. She's a story the whole world needs to know about."
The woman from Rathcoole in west Dublin has produced more column inches of copy for agencies from Japan to Europe, Australia to the United States itself, than any other single athlete at these Olympic Games.
Smith, however, seems to have, taken it all in her stride. The injury, yesterday, that wasn't an injury, "The only mark I have on my rib cage is a shaving rash from my razor. Does that count as an injury?"
A sense of humour to go with three Olympic gold medals. Surely the freedom of Dublin awaits. Big Jack, Nelson Mandela, Stephen Roche, you've got company.
Michelle's immediate family were all in Atlanta last night to see her latest success first hand. Sisters Sarah, Aisling and their 10 year old brother, Brian, had all flown out on Tuesday. They joined their parents, Brian and Patricia Smith, flown out to Atlanta thanks to a fund raising operation at the Poitin Still - their local pub in Rathcoole.
TNT Express Worldwide, who; are Michelle's main sponser, are rewarding her with £15,000 for every Gold Medal she wins. Already the bill is £45,000 and the company's managing director, Mr Geoff Carr, said in a statement he hopes the eventual bill is £60,000.
Back at poolside Michelle casually emerged from her pool of dreams, casually shrugged the water out of her hair and contented herself with "it's like a dream, I almost can't believe it".
The President, Mary Robinson, passed on her congratulations saying "A third event and a third Gold Medal - warmest congratulations on your remarkable achievement. Your performance; in Atlanta, both in and out of the swimming pool has made Irish people all over the world immensely proud of you. You have lifted our spirits while disrupting our sleep pattern!"
The Taoiseach, Mr Bruton, said "Michelle's Smith extraordinary, performance in Atlanta this morning, winning her third gold medal gives her a special, place in Olympic history. This achievement, truly outstanding and remarkable. Irish people everywhere celebrate her courage, determination and dedication to her sport".
The Fianna Fail leader, Mr Bertie Ahern, added Michelle's wonderful achievement tonight is absolutely astounding and illustrates her position as one of the world's greatest ever athletes."
"I'm sure I join with the rest of, the country in wishing Michelle the very best in the 200M butterfly later in the week," he added.
