Her second appearance
Regan Smith, a three-time Olympic medalist, secured her spot in the upcoming Summer Games by winning the women's 100-meter backstroke event at the U.S. Olympic swimming trials in Indianapolis.
This victory marks her second appearance at the Olympics, providing her with justified pride as she prepares for the upcoming competition.
New world record
At 22 years old, Regan Smith set a new world record by winning the race in 57.13 seconds, surpassing her previous American record from the semifinals with a time of 57.47 seconds. Her remarkable performance in the U.S. Olympic swimming trials showcased her exceptional talent and drive in the pool.
So proud
Smith said, "It was part of the plan. I am so proud of myself. Backstroke is hard for me sometimes, but to fight back like this and get that back means a lot."
The previous record
Regan Smith effortlessly surpassed the previous record set by Australian Kaylee McKeown with a time of 57.13.
Her first appearance
During her first appearance at the Olympics in Tokyo, the former Stanford swimmer excelled, earning a bronze in the women's 100-meter and a silver in the women's 200-meter butterfly events, along with a silver in the women's 4x100-meter relay.
2019 world championships
This success came after a remarkable year for the talented Minnesota native, who established a world record in the 100-meter backstroke at the 2019 world championships at the age of 17.
Incredibly rewarding
"This is incredibly rewarding," Smith said. "When I was a teenager, I had not done much. There was no pressure on me. I was always the youngest. No one expected much from me. I could go into it fearless. It's about time," she concluded.
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