Olivia Smoliga raced a LCM competition for the first time since the 2024 US Olympic Trials this past weekend in Westmont. Smoliga, 31, raced the 50 back (28.4) and 50 free (24.9), where she made the A-Final in both and placed 3rd in the latter. She also time trialed the 50 fly (26.9).
The 2x Olympian gives her perspective on why she decided to return to racing, saying she feels like a whole new person now compared to when she was last competing. Smoliga hasn’t been completely away from the pool, however. In the interim, she started In Depth Swim Academy, where she’s been able to share what she’s learned in and out of the pool with young swimmers across the country.
In the SwimSwam Podcast dive deeper into the sport you love with insider conversations about swimming. Hosted by Coleman Hodges and Gold Medal Mel Stewart, SwimSwam welcomes both the biggest names in swimming that you already know, and rising stars that you need to get to know, as we break down the past, present, and future of aquatic sports.
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Music: Otis McDonald
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Opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the interviewed guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs, and viewpoints of the hosts, SwimSwam Partners, LLC and/or SwimSwam advertising partners.

Summited every mountain top. No Coleman, she hasn’t sung Take me out at a Cubs game.
Olivia Rodrigo > Olivia Smoliga
Smoliga for sure
What’s Rodrigo’s PB in the 50 back?
this isn’t reddit….
Great interview
Coley Stickels. I feel like that name just keeps popping up when you least expect it.
Love or hate him (and I know it’s mostly the latter) he clearly has an approach that works with a certain type of swimmer. Can’t argue with his results with Mr. Worldwide