Olympic Swimming Medalist Kieran Smith Explains Why He Turned Pro

In the SwimSwam Podcast dive deeper into the sport you love with insider conversations about swimming. Hosted by Coleman HodgesGarrett McCaffrey, 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.

Olympic medalist, World Champion, and  Speedo Athlete Kieran Smith explains why he officially turned pro. He also shares that he’s eyeing another Team USA relay. Kieran’s got the 4×200 free relay dialed-in. He anchored Team USA’s World Championship gold performance, dropping a 1:44.3 split. Kieran would like to develop a top-4 U.S. 100m free time to get on the 4×100 U.S. Olympic relay at 2024 Games in Paris. He has a little under two years to get there. His PB was 49.1 back in 2019. At U.S. International Team Trials he shaved that down to a 48.5.  He’s within range. While he’s not taking his eyes off the 400m free, he’ll be older, stronger, and ideally faster by the 2024 U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials in Indianapolis.  Kieran played the prediction game in this podcast, and he thinks he’ll need to be 47+ to be top-4 at the U.S. Olympic Trials in the 100m free.

Kieran has enjoyed the recent media about Bob Bowman’s Arizona Pro Training Group.  When asked if they topped Florida’s Pro Group, Kieran answered in a round about way stating that a dual meet should hosted. Someone needs to make that happen. ISL feels like a fading dream. A pro duel meet between these two powerhouses would be entertaining.

Thanks to Speedo USA for their support of this podcast.

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Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

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.

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Gulliver’s Swimming Travels
2 years ago

Anyone else think he kinda looks like he could be related to Ledecky in that cover photo?

Mclovin
2 years ago

Not another good middle distance swimmer turning to sprints 🙁
I think his 200m freestyle is carried by his 400 training. If he drops the 400m for the 100m his 200m will suffer. Also he is the olympic bronze medallist in the event.
If Haas would have continued training for the 400m he would have gone under 1,45

Last edited 2 years ago by Mclovin
Notanyswimmer
Reply to  Mclovin
2 years ago

The problem with American 200 freestyle swimmers is bathtub training. 200y swimmers are expected to swim the 200m, but as it turns out, they’re only conditioned to race for 182 meters. That means 18 meters of piano.

Mclovin
Reply to  Gold Medal Mel Stewart
2 years ago

I cant see anybody getting better in the 400 by focusing in the 100.. Kieran is already faster than Maertens and Winnington in the 200m freestyle and way faster in the 100. Speed is not the issue there

Notanyswimmer
2 years ago

Lol Team USA really can’t retain anybody to take the 400 free seriously

VikingSteve
2 years ago

umm…. money and er…. ummm. oh yeah…. money….. not complicated and the correct decision

Coco
2 years ago

His new tattoo is brilliant but also incredibly creepy to look at!

Thomas
2 years ago

Biggest races would probably be:

4IM Finke Smith vs Kalisz Litherland
2IM: Smith vs. Kalisz
100 free: Dressel (Smith?) vs Held
50 free: Dressel vs. Held

100fly: Hinds vs. Smith Flickinger
200free: Ledecky vs. Manuel (Smith?)
100free: Hinds Ledecky vs. Smoliga Manuel
100back: S. Dressel vs. Smoliga

Surely I’m missing more.

Noah
Reply to  Thomas
2 years ago

Marchand in the IMS, Grant House in the frees and 2 IM, Lindsay Looney in 1 fly. Wait another year and you bring Sims in for any race.

Last edited 2 years ago by Noah
Ghost
Reply to  Noah
2 years ago

I think they are talking pro groups!!

Noah
Reply to  Ghost
2 years ago

😦 Oops

GatorGuy
Reply to  Noah
2 years ago

At this point, I wouldnt be surprised if Grimes goes over sooner than later either.

MarkB
Reply to  Thomas
2 years ago

Reagan Smith might want to swim the 100 Back in your scenario. She has a pretty good time.

Anonymous
2 years ago

What is happened to Caleb?

NB1
2 years ago

Kieran Smith has Ledecky eyes

About Gold Medal Mel Stewart

Gold Medal Mel Stewart

MEL STEWART Jr., aka Gold Medal Mel, won three Olympic medals at the 1992 Olympic Games. Mel's best event was the 200 butterfly. He is a former World, American, and NCAA Record holder in the 200 butterfly. As a writer/producer and sports columnist, Mel has contributed to Yahoo Sports, Universal Sports, …

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