TEMPE, Ariz. — Not many people can say Michael Phelps is rooting for them — but Regan Smith can.
The three-time Olympic medalist is training in Arizona under USA Olympic Swimming coach Bob Bowman, who trained Phelps, and she is currently preparing for the Paris Olympics. Who better to root for a fellow Olympian than the most decorated Olympian of all time?
"I'll never forget he said... 'if you ever need anything, I completely understand what you're going through right now, this isn't easy. If you ever need anything, I'm here. I have your back. I'm rooting for you. I want you to succeed,'" Smith said. "Just knowing that I have an athlete like that behind me who cares about me and who will give me the support if I need it, it's really special, and it means a lot."
At just 22 years old, Smith already has an impressive resume. Inspired by her older sister Brenna, Smith began swimming competitively at the age of seven.
"I don't think I would have wanted to compete had she not been competing,” said Smith.
She broke world records when she was just 17, competing in the 100 and 200-meter backstroke. She’s won three Olympic medals in the Tokyo Olympics — two silver medals for the 200-meter butterfly and the 4 x 100-meter medley relay, and one bronze medal for the 100-meter backstroke.
Smith also competed in the 2022 World Aquatics Championships, winning two gold medals.
But those two years were not without challenges. Smith said she was under "all this pressure" for two years, which affected her swimming and self-confidence.
“I didn't feel like I was the swimmer that I was when I broke those records," Smith said. "I just crumbled under the pressure."
It was after Smith left Stanford University and came to ASU that her life changed.
“The training has been incredible,” said Smith.
But she admits that while training at ASU and with Bowman has been "an amazing experience," it’s been grueling. The Olympian swims nine times a week for 2 hours and on some days, even twice a day. She also lifts weights three days a week.
She’ll maintain that schedule 11 months out of the year, on top of competitions.
Smith said her biggest support comes from her family back home in Minnesota, who have sacrificed so much for her swimming career.
"My mom, my dad and my stepmom, the three of them are (an) incredible team," Smith said. "It's a great support system.”
Now, Smith said she is laser-focused on what she needs to do in Paris.
“One of my dreams forever has been to win an Olympic gold medal,” Smith said.
And Paris is just the beginning for Smith.
“This will not be the end. Absolutely not. I’ve still got a lot more to give," Smith said.
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