Nocher: I have learned so much

BEIJING was to be a learning curve for Melanie Nocher, a chance to dip her toes in Olympic waters and lay the groundwork for an assault on the London Games in 2012.

Some of the lessons learned have been harsh, like the fiasco of clouded goggles and controversial swim hats that overshadowed her freestyle heats earlier this week.

But then there were the priceless nuggets she has picked up from swapping notes in the schoolyard of the best swimmers in the world.

Her appetite for work is chief among them. “I just really want to get into the gym and go training,” she replied when asked about her plans on returning home next week.

“It has just given me a shock how fast the world is getting. This is a very fast Games and a very fast pool.

“I’m getting older and I need to start training harder,” said the 20-year-old, who was chosen to represent Ireland having achieved a B standard but subsequently posted the A grade at the British Championships in Liverpool last month.

“I want to make my mark a bit more. I can’t wait to get faster and get up with the big dogs.”

The signs are positive that she can attain that goal. Last night, 10 minutes after Michael Phelps secured his place in the 100-metre butterfly semis, the Belfast swimmer set a new Irish record in the 200m backstroke, coming home in 2:12.29 with a strong swim from lane seven.

Though well outside the slowest qualifying time (Gemma Spofforth, 2:10.58) required for the semi-finals, Nocher was all smiles in the mixed zone with something to show for her work in the Water Cube this week.

“I couldn’t be more pleased. I was very nervous but I calmed down before the race,” revealed the University of Ulster student. “I just remembered to enjoy myself which I did and push on the last 50 when I was hurting. I came back and looked up and I was faster (than her existing record).”

She admitted: “I was pretty confident I was going to do something. I don’t think you can compete in the Olympics and think that you are going to do badly. I just had to believe in myself and it paid off.”

Nocher, who set six national records in a two-week period last year, admitted that life as an Olympian can be a double-edged sword.

“I have been trying to enjoy every minute but I got very, very nervous two days ago. I think you sometimes forget when you are in the village to enjoy yourself. It is very tense and competitive.”

And so she turned to an old friend and an old hand at this game, Andrew Bree. “Andrew is a great, great guy and I really respect what he does. He gave me a wee pep talk before I came in. He is a fountain of knowledge. At 27 he is not finished learning. I definitely have a lot of time for the guy.”

And what lessons will she pass on to the next generation? “The Olympics is all about getting what you take away from it. I have just been trying to learn and take it all in.”