“I didn’t really want to start, but my mom really wanted me to. She bribed me with a Barbie, but I ended up falling in love with the sport,“ once shared Leah Smith, who has gone from a reluctant swimmer to a household name in American swimming. At the 2016 Rio Olympics, she snagged a bronze in the 400-meter freestyle and helped Team USA clinch gold in the 4×200-meter relay. Beyond her Olympic achievements, Smith’s legacy extends to the NCAA world, where she represented the University of Virginia, holding school records in the 500, 1000, and 1650 freestyles.

Among her notable accomplishments is being the second-fastest U.S. swimmer in the 500-meter freestyle event. Sure, there’ve been setbacks; Tokyo 2021 didn’t go as planned, but Leah’s not one to stay down for long. With her eyes set on Paris 2024, she’s gearing up for the U.S. Olympic Swimming Team Trials. But behind every great athlete is a supportive family, right? Let’s dive into Leah’s world and meet the crew that keeps her passion for sports burning bright.

Leah Smith’s parents are her biggest strengths

According to UVA Magazine, Leah Smith hails from Pittsburgh and her family boasts a rich tradition of athleticism and competitive spirit. Her father, Dan, excelled as a pole vaulter at the University of Virginia, while her mother, Margee Smith, ensured her children learned to swim despite her own inability to swim.

Leah’s older sister, Aileen, swam competitively for Columbia University, while her older brother, Daniel, pursued baseball. Leah’s younger brother, Neal, plans to swim for the Naval Academy. The family’s sporting lineage extends further with Leah’s great-grandfather, Jimmy Smith, a former Cincinnati Reds infielder, and her great-uncle, Billy Conn, a world light heavyweight boxing champion.

Leah once opened up about how her parents have played a pivotal role in her athletic journey, serving as her pillars of strength and support. Despite her family’s competitive nature, her parents ensure that the spirit of competition remains healthy and constructive. As her father emphasized, “The biggest fear that I had with my kids was that competitiveness would become unhealthy.“

However, he acknowledged the competitive dynamic among the siblings but also recognized its value in pushing them to excel: “They’re very much competing against each other. Who better to push you to do that than your brothers and sister?” Moreover, Leah’s mother’s determination to teach her children to swim, despite her own inability to do so, was evident in her ‘Barbie bribe,’ which ultimately sparked Leah’s passion for the sport. As we reflect on these family dynamics, let us see how the support she receives is her driving force during competitions.

The olympian keeps her family in mind while swimming

As Leah Smith dives into the pool, she carries her family’s legacy and support with her, drawing inspiration from their collective achievements. Recalling her childhood, Smith vividly remembers being captivated by her relatives’ athletic accolades, spending hours poring over old newspaper clippings and admiring their trophies, particularly those belonging to her father.

Smith shared that she believed it made her want to be like her dad and have the same success he did, using it as motivation in the pool. This deep-rooted motivation drives her every stroke, as she shared, “When I’m swimming, I definitely do it with my whole family in mind. I do it so I can carry on the tradition that all my family has worked for.“

Reflecting on Leah Smith’s strong familial roots and the support and inspiration she receives from her family, it’s intriguing to see how this dynamic will propel her towards securing her ticket to the Paris Olympics in the upcoming Olympic trials. What are your thoughts on the loving Smith family? Share in the comments below!