Watching Mona from the gods and the noisy PA announcer

The late Bill McClaren, who for decades was the voice of rugby on BBC television, wolld prepare meticulously for his commentaries - and to each game he would bring 'Bill's Big Sheet'. Yet, he might only use 5% of the scribbled notes and facts. But he was prepared.

High up in the gantry at the La Defense Arena, John Kenny and Nick O'Hare have their notes ready, stuff is scribbled down as they get ready to commentate on the morning session on day two of the swimming at Paris 2024.

Kenny has arrived at his ninth Olympics; O'Hare is on his sixth. As a pair they work well together, know when to interject. As O'Hare pointed out, "I wait for a beat after John's stops taking before I launch in".

Of course technology, which would not have aided McClaren back in the day, is now there to aid the commentators; results and overall standings being confirmed shortly after a race is completed.

I sat beside them as they began their commentary, was handed a headset, so I could hear their exchanges and what was happening back at base in Dublin, with Evanne Ní Chuilinn anchoring the television coverage.

There is a lot of noise in the La Defense, particularly from the PA announcer. That said, the atmosphere is terrific and no effort is spared with flashing lights illuminating what is a darkened arena in the minutes before the action begins.

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The announcer starts shouting again and off we go. Of course, for John and Nick it was all about Mona McSharry's race - the heats of 100m breaststroke.