Olivia Smoliga looked up at the board and beamed.
A decade into her time on the U.S. National Team, she was headed back to a long-course world championships – her third.
Not only was she headed to worlds, but she saw a best time in the 100 freestyle at age 28.
“I feel amazing. That was two best times (prelims and finals),” Smoliga told Swimming World. “I am in this place where I have overcome so much that I have feared, so much that held me back last year. I just realized a lot more how to listen to myself and be in a partnership with my coach. I am just super, super happy. I am 28, this is my third long-course world championship team – and I am getting better.
“I am swimming my fastest right now. Age is a number and I don’t even stand by it.”
Smoliga finished fourth in 53.28, her career-best time, to join Team USA for the 400 free relay along with Kate Douglass, Abbey Weitzeil and Gretchen Walsh.
Last year, Smoliga missed the team and was devastated. She was able to get back to a strong place mentally and has thrived since moving to Sun Devil Aquatics.
So making the team on Day 1 was a load off, but not in the traditional sense.
“Managing nerves and emotions. This time last year, I missed the team. So fresh off the gate making the team, I am so grateful. I came in with big intentions and big goals. I had a few people ask me if it was a weight off my shoulders, but I came in feeling really lifted before I even started,” Smoliga said. “So it is a different feeling than I have ever had. The weight has the connotation that you come in heavy – and I want to be light, and I came in that way. It sets me up to be good when I am already light.”
A decade ago, Smoliga burst onto the scene predominantly as a backstroker. She was a world champion in the 50 backstroke and held the record for most golds at a short-course worlds – and made the 2016 Olympic team in the 100 backstroke.
But over the course of her career, she has transformed into one of the elite sprint freestylers in the world as well.
She was a 50 free NCAA champion at Georgia and that jumpstarted the second stage of her career.
Smoliga qualified for the Tokyo Olympics as part of the 400 free relay, her second games, followed suit with her best time at nationals.
“I would love to see my progression in freestyle. I think in 2017 I was a 54-high-to-mid and I was sixth. That was the first time I stepped onto the scene as a freestyler,” she said. “Then I went a best time in the semifinals in 2021 trials (53.5). So a huge drop here.”
So what is her focus, backstroke or freestyle?
“I have definitely had a main or at least equal focus to backstroke with Herbie (Behm). I am in his sprint group. He has helped me change my stroke and be more efficient. My distance-per-stroke has gone down by three strokes per 25,” she said. “I have just gotten stronger. If I make the team in freestyle, I consider myself a freestyler.”
It took a while to get to that point.
“Having a stronger body helps with freestyle. I was 57 in high school and under a minute in backstroke – in high school. I was intimidated by freestyle events back then. As I have gotten stronger and swam more long course, it has gotten better,” Smoliga said. “I think it is a little more intimidating swimming on your stomach and seeing the length of the pool versus backstroke when you don’t see it.”
But Smoliga is back where she belongs, headed to worlds – at her fastest. And she still has the rest of U.S. Nationals to go.
“Still room to improve, of course, but I have that base from Georgia and with Bob (Bowman) that started to get me prepared for this,” Smoliga said. “It is amazing that I can still feel this feeling 10 years into the sport. I am lucky to feel these different things.”
Congrats Olivia and good luck to you at Worlds! So cool that you felt lifted up before you started Nationals! Hope your success inspires many others as they chase their dreams!