Swimming coach Duncan Laing seriously ill

One of New Zealand's most celebrated swimming coaches is seriously ill.

Duncan Laing is in Intensive Care at Dunedin Hospital.

Swimming New Zealand has confirmed Laing is in a serious condition, but his illness has not been revealed.

However, in 2006 he was treated in hospital for a melanoma-like growth which was removed from his leg.

Laing coached Danyon Loader to success when he won two gold medals at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. His long service to the sport was recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours in 2005 when he was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

- NEWSTALK ZB