The late Bill McClaren, who for decades was the voice of rugby on BBC television, would 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 Defénse Arena, John Kenny and Nick O'Hare have their notes ready, stuff is scribbled down as they prepare to commentate on the morning session on day two of the swimming at Paris 2024.
Kenny has arrived at his ninth Olympics; O'Hare, who competed for Ireland at the 1996 Games, is on his sixth. As a pair they work well together, know when to interject. As the latter 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 Defénse, 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.
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 the 100m breaststroke. No nervous energy from the commentary duo, as they and the rest of us to be fair, expected the Sligo competitor to advance.
McSharry was in heat five of five and so John started off describing a very slow opening heat. It was almost crawl-like from the eight swimmers, but their participation was what Baron de Coubertin had in mind when he founded the modern Olympics.
And so to Mona.
But there was a delay. We looked down at the other end of the pool. A gentlemen donned his speedos and jumped in. For a second we thought he broke through security and wanted to have his moment, like those who rush onto the pitch at football games.
No, he was a volunteer, tasked with the job of retrieving a swimming cap from the bottom of the pool. He got the customary round of applause from the crowd as he stuck his head back above water. Both John and Nick chuckled.
The race began; Mona was always near the front, and finished strongly. "So second", I said, with John raising three fingers to indicate that she was third overall across the heats.
Job done. Next up is an evening session.
Nick O'Hare was satisfied with the performance, saying: "Great swimming from Mona, she's a veteran at this stage, she knows what to do. She's got the semi-final tonight and I expect her to get an inside lane in the final - that's the top six swimmers in the final."
On a screen near me I could see members of Mona's family smiling with delight as the camera focused on them. A few hours to calm down before the the nervous tension surfaces again. Indeed Mona spoke of some apprehension herself ahead of the race, admitting that "nerves got the better of me".
John and Nick's work was done for now, with the former stating that "Mona's a medal contender". No doubt the pair would love to commentate on an Irish competitor taking their place on a podium. The next few days will tell a lot.
But for now there is more prep work for both to be done ahead of the semis.
The venue is quiet now apart from the cleaners dusting down the seats in the auditorium and those dressed in what looks like scuba gear examining the bottom of the pool.
The playback from RTÉ can still be heard. I hear the voice of Brendan McCardle; it must be equestrian.
And so the noise will start up again in a few hours. The PA will be giving it loads. If Bill McClaren were still with us, he'd have a word in his ear.
What's to come is all about McSharry, can she deliver a performance to raise expectations even higher that she can take home a medal?
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