Olivia Smoliga, who in March wrapped up her last varsity appearance as a Georgia Bulldog at the NCAA Championships, has confirmed that it was illness that kept her from competing at this week’s Arena Pro Swim Series meet in Mesa, Arizona.
This meet was set to be Smoliga’s first as a professional swimmer. She was originally entered to race the 100 free, 50 free, and 100 back, with one event on each of the meet’s 3 days. Instead, she’s scratched the entirety of the meet with what she’s called the “nastiest sickness.”
Smoliga sought treatment at a local medical facility in Arizona.
Smoliga is the Georgia school record holder in the same 3 events that she was due to swim this weekend, the 50 free, 100 free, and 100 backstroke, and at the 2016 NCAA Championships set the NCAA and Meet Records in the 50 free (21.16). In her swan song, she came in 2nd in those same three races as well at the 2017 NCAA Championships.
https://twitter.com/OliviaSmoliga/status/853242203166064644
I wonder if Olivia will keep swimming past this year. She seems to thrive on the college camaraderie, and now she’s done with college swimming. She had a great career swimming for Georgia.
USA Swimming could use her talent no doubt.
It’s a long road from here to Tokyo 2020.
She’s nice, cute and fast. She’s about to make some paper y’all. ?
silly question in my opinion. she has been a top swimmer in the us for the past several years in her individuals, is a good relay piece, and seems like a shoo-in for endorsements — has a very marketable persona.
Be well soon . we miss you .