Regan Smith

American backstroke specialist who set world records in the 100m and 200m backstroke as a 17-year-old in 2019 and has since won multiple Olympic and World Championship medals.

Born February 9, 2002, in Lakeville, Minnesota, this exceptional swimmer began competing at an early age and quickly distinguished herself in backstroke events. She trained under the guidance of coach Bob Bowman, who previously coached Michael Phelps, at the North Baltimore Aquatic Club after relocating from Minnesota to pursue elite-level training opportunities. Smith's meteoric rise began as a teenager when she started breaking age group records and establishing herself as a dominant force in backstroke swimming. Her breakthrough came at the 2019 World Aquatics Championships in Gwangju, South Korea, where she set world records in both the 100-meter and 200-meter backstroke events. These performances announced her arrival as the world's premier backstroker and established her as a key figure in American swimming. Her technical prowess is characterized by exceptional underwater dolphin kick work and powerful stroke mechanics that allow her to maintain speed throughout races. The world records she established demonstrated her ability to perform at the highest level under pressure, with her 200-meter backstroke record being particularly notable for the margin by which she broke the previous mark. At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, she won three medals, including silver in the 200-meter backstroke and bronze in the 100-meter backstroke, along with a silver medal as part of the American medley relay team. These achievements solidified her status among the world's elite swimmers. Smith's impact on backstroke swimming extends beyond her individual accomplishments. Her technique and training methods have influenced coaching approaches, and her performances have elevated the standard for backstroke events globally. She represents the evolution of backstroke swimming, combining traditional stroke mechanics with innovative underwater techniques. Her consistency at the international level and ability to perform in major competitions have established her as one of the defining swimmers of her generation and a cornerstone of American swimming's continued excellence in backstroke events.

Technical backstroker with exceptional underwater dolphin kick

Dominant backstroke swimmer who set multiple world records as a teenager

• 2019 Worlds gold 200m backstroke (WR) + relay gold
• 2022 Worlds gold 100m backstroke
• Paris 2024: 3 silvers (100/200 back, 200 fly)