After Gary Lineker at the Euros, Clare Balding is a reminder to the BBC of what the gold standard of broadcasting looks like, writes HENRY CLARK

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Week one of the Olympics and all eyes have been on the pool. Dinner for TV viewers isn't complete without another bolt of electricity from the mighty Leon Marchand, the darling of the home crowd and hero of these Games.

Across prime-time viewing on the BBC, Marchand isn't the only one dominating our screens. Clare Balding - now in her eighth Olympics - has reminded us why she is now the gold standard of sports broadcasting in the UK.

Following a Euros when Gary Lineker could not resist making himself the centre of attention by calling England 's***' on his money-spinning podcast, his BBC colleague has reminded us how it should be done. With elegance, knowledge, insight and charm.

She has taken us along for the ride next to broadcasting sidekicks and former elite swimmers Mark Foster and Rebecca Adlington. Viewers trust her to help them wade through the complexities of the sport and introduce them to new stars.

The secret of her success is not dissimilar to that of an Olympian: hours and hours of preparation. Where an athlete would hit the gym, Balding hits the books, sifting through reams of notes, learning names, facts and figures so they roll off the tongue without hesitation.

Clare Balding has reminded the BBC what the gold standard of broadcasting looks like

Gary Lineker could not resist making himself the centre of attention by calling England 's***'

That enthusiasm for devouring information and always wanting to know more has allowed her to become an Olympic champion in her field. Sue Barker, broadcasting royalty herself, looks back fondly on the time the pair spent together, helping each other hone their craft.

She told Mail Sport: 'We were walking in Melbourne and Clare goes, "How's your research coming along?" and I said I was just doing all the countries, doing this, doing that. She goes, "Oh, I haven't got on to that yet".

'So she suggested as we were doing our research (to) put together questions and have a Q&A. We used to either meet or phone each other up and say, "Right, you ask 10 questions and I'm going to ask 10." We used to try to test each other but also inform each other. It used to be a fun time in the build-up to Games to have that contest between us.'

Those preparations have shone through again in Balding's work at La Defense Arena, where she has exhibited all the qualities that have established her as the Beeb's leading light.

Balding has asked all the right questions of Foster and Adlington, the aquatics experts stationed alongside her. How on earth did Great Britain's backstroke swimmer Luke Greenbank, for example, manage to get himself disqualified for spending too long underwater?

Viewers trust Balding to help them wade through the complexities of Olympic swimming

Sue Barker (left), also broadcasting royalty, looks back fondly on the time they spent together

Just as we all began to wonder what the bright red cup marks on the backs of some swimmers were, Balding was on hand to find out from her learned colleagues. It might seem elementary, but it's a genuine skill to know what the viewer is thinking. She'll rarely, if ever, find herself caught out on the facts, either.

Foster says: 'I find it amazing she can retain so many names. She'll come out with names that I'm like, "Wow". It's my sport and I know it but for her to be able to take all this information on, it's a skill and she's the best at it.' 

The learning process begins away from the bright lights of the studio, where there is plenty of ground to cover. Some 850 swimmers competing across 37 events in Paris, most of whom Balding memorises to the point where she can talk about each of them to the millions at home as though they were her best pals.

The bookcase in her London home contains several large files with notes on swimming, cycling and the history of the Games accrued from years of studying. 

'There is (a lot of preparation) but I love the homework,' Balding said recently. 'It's like studying your favourite subject and doing A-Levels of your favourite subject. 

'I want to know more about all the countries involved and also all the world records - times and stats. It's not just sport, it's intellectually interesting and challenging.'

Balding has taken us along for the ride next to sidekicks Mark Foster and Rebecca Adlington

Such is her love for her craft that Balding has even been known to quiz the BBC's team of researchers, who compile huge documents of facts and figures for their presenters and pundits.

Her passion spans the sporting spectrum and comes as no shock given her grounding. Balding's father, Ian, was one of the world's most respected racehorse trainers before passing his Kingsclere empire down to Clare's brother Andrew, who is a multiple Classic-winning trainer in his own right. 

'She was always more academically advanced than me, that's for sure!' Andrew told Mail Sport. 'We're a big sports family and ever since we were kids the television would rarely be showing anything other than live sport. 

'She shares an enthusiasm for all sorts of sports. It's not a performance, it's genuine. She's got a very comfortable broadcasting style which is very natural and that's what she's like. What you see on TV is what she is.'

Balding's academic background set her in good stead, too. She began honing the craft of communication while studying English at the University of Cambridge, where she was part of the debating society. She even considered a career in politics. Thankfully for sports fans, she stuck with her true love.

Foster has had a front-row seat to admire Balding's brilliance for some time. With Adlington, too, the BBC have compiled a formidable trio for their swimming coverage. It's full of insight, from analysis of breathing techniques which can improve swimmers' awareness of their rivals, to discussions over the hand technique required to hit the wall hard enough to stop the clock.

Her enthusiasm and knowledge have allowed her to become an Olympic champion in her field

Balding struggled to hold back the tears when the curtain fell on Andy Murray's career

And it has all been delivered with warmth and a good helping of humour. 'She has her own knowledge and insight but what I find she's the best at doing is she realises she's got two experts with her and she finds a way of getting the best out of them and that comes from the questions she asks,' Foster told Mail Sport.

'Our job is to give the expert opinion. Clare is the stabilisers making the show run as smoothly as possible. Things are thrown at her all the time by the production team and it's the way she makes it look effortless. She's basically producing and managing the two of us and the production team. 

'It's amazing how she can function with so much going on.'

Balding has been great company for viewers as she's shared British highs in the pool. She appeared just as thrilled by our gold medal-winning awesome foursome and as emotionally drained by Adam Peaty's narrow defeat as the rest of us.

Balding wouldn't have been the only one struggling to hold back the tears when the curtain fell on Andy Murray's career on Thursday night, either. It's part of her charm. She's one of us at heart.

And soon she will go again, swotting up for Channel 4 ahead of the Paralympics. Truly a gold-medal operator.

Additional reporting: Dominic King