Smith's parents, lacking a swimming background, enrolled her in swim lessons for water safety. Watching her sister Brenna compete sparked her interest. "My first swim meet memory was at my swim school when I was seven. I remember winning my first race and feeling so hooked that I wanted to keep going and never stop," she recalls.

Training Regime

Smith trains rigorously under coach Greg Meehan at Stanford University. Her schedule includes eight pool sessions weekly, with double sessions twice a week. On double days, she wakes up at 04:50 for practice from 05:30 to 06:40. After school and homework from 09:00 to 14:00, she has her second practice from 15:00 to 17:30.

Achievements and Recognition

Smith's notable achievements include breaking Missy Franklin's 200m backstroke world record at the 2019 World Championships in Gwangju, South Korea. She was the youngest member of the US team at the world championships in 2017 and 2019.

Her accolades include being named 17-18 Age Group Swimmer of the Year for 2019 and 2020 by SwimSwam. She also received the 2019 Female Swimmer of the Year and World Junior Female Swimmer of the Year awards.

Personal Life and Hobbies

Smith resides in Stanford, California, USA. Besides swimming, she enjoys spending time with friends, watching TV shows, ice skating, and gymnastics. Known as "Riptide Rocket," she speaks English fluently.

Philosophy and Rituals

Smith carries her pink Crocs to meets as a ritual, even if she doesn't always wear them on deck. "I have had them for almost five years," she mentioned in 2021. Her sporting philosophy is rooted in overcoming self-doubt. "I always walk into meets with low expectations because I really don't believe that I'm capable of much more," she says.

Future Ambitions

Looking ahead, Smith aims to compete at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. Her journey has been marked by dedication and resilience, qualities that will undoubtedly serve her well as she prepares for this major event.

Transition to Stanford

In June 2019, Smith declared her commitment to study and swim at Stanford University for the 2020/21 academic year. However, due to the postponement of the Tokyo Olympics, she deferred enrolment for a year. She continued training under coach Mike Parratto at Riptide Swim Club in Minnesota.

She won three medals at Tokyo 2020 before starting her studies at Stanford in September 2021. "This transition [to college life] has been very difficult, I won't lie. I miss home. [But] I know ultimately this is going to help me as a person," Smith shared.

Pre-Race Routine

Unlike many athletes, Smith does not listen to music before races. "I actually hate listening to music before I race because I feel like it distracts me," she explains. She prefers feeding off the crowd's energy and staying present during competitions.

Regan Smith's journey from a young swimmer to an accomplished athlete is inspiring. With her eyes set on the Paris Olympics, her story continues to unfold with dedication and hard work.