The world's greatest swimmer Michael Phelps has passed on his regards to New Zealand swimming coach Duncan Laing, who is ill in a Dunedin hospital.
"I was actually talking to a friend of his and we were relaying email messages back and forward and I was saying hello and sending my best wishes," Phelps told a Beijing press conference after setting a record of eight gold medals at an Olympics yesterday.
"Hopefully I will be able to make it down there and hopefully, all the best for Duncan."
Phelps visited Dunedin in 2003 and trained with Laing, who coached New Zealand's greatest swimmer, Danyon Loader, to two Olympic gold medals and a silver.
University of Otago associate professor David Gerrard, who is at the Olympic Games as part of the medical commission, told One News that Phelps was upset when he heard of Laing's condition and asked him to pass on a special message to Laing.
Laing, 77, who is suffering from melanoma, was humbled by that message, the Otago Daily Times reported.
Brian McCutcheon, a friend, said Laing was amazed that Phelps would think of him at this time. He was given Phelps' message as he watched on television the American receiving his eighth gold medal on the dais.
Laing told McCutcheon to win eight gold medals was an amazing feat. It was hard enough to win any Olympic medal, let alone eight.
Phelps was back in Dunedin last year to use the swimming flume at the University of Otago to test his Speedo swimsuit in a trip kept secret from the media. "I've actually been talking to a few of the New Zealanders (who have been) saying 'you should come back, you should come back' and I'd love to come back, I'd love to see more of the country.
"It was a fun trip. I saw a lot of rain though. I think it was the rain season. So I definitely want to get back there, some nice weather, just have a good time."
