Thousands turn out to farewell Laing

More than a thousand people have turned out in Dunedin to farewell legendary swimming coach Duncan Laing.

The man who coached Danyon Loader to two gold medals at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics died over the weekend.

There were a number of speakers at today's service, including one of his sons, Mayor Peter Chin and Danyon Loader - who chose to focus on the more humorous aspects of his relationship with him.

Some people claim Duncan Laing coached more than 30,000 swimmers. He has been described as a "national treasure".

- NEWSTALK ZB