Red Deer’s Rebecca Smith will compete for Canada at the 2024 World Aquatics Championships in February.
The 23-year-old was one of 26 swimmers named this week to the Canadian roster who will head to Doha, Qatar in the new year.
She told The Advocate it’s an exciting opportunity.
“I’m super thankful to be picked to go to Doha for worlds. I think it will be a really great stepping stone leading into Olympic trials in May,” she said.
“I’m just excited to get in there and race and see where I’m at.”
Smith has stayed sharp competing throughout the year while completing her nursing degree at the University of Calgary. She will graduate in December after she finishes her shift work at the end of November.
The last time she suited up for Canada was at the 2022 World Aquatics Championships in Melbourne, Australia where she won five medals (two silver and three bronze).
This year she plans to return her focus on swimming and preparing for the Olympic trials next summer.
“I’ve been training so hard eight times a week and I lift three times a week while finishing my degree,” Smith said adding she’s been scheduling her days by the hour.
“It’s been really busy and it’s not easy but I’ve been able to manage it with the support of my family. Also the support of the U of C swim team and now the Cascade Swim Club. I’ve been competing throughout my degree and that’s how I was able to qualify for these world championships.”
This year at the beginning of September, Smith began training at the Cascade Swim Club in downtown Calgary. With five other swimmers a part of the group, Smith said they’re all gunning to make the Olympic team.
“It’s really great to be back in that high-performance environment and be coached by Dave Johnson, who’s one of my previous coaches,” she said.
“I’m just going to see what happens. My goal is definitely to make another Olympic team. If not, I’ll be a nurse so there’s lots to look forward to.”
Smith is no stranger to the Olympics. In 2020, she won the silver medal at the Olympic Games in Tokyo in the 4X100m women’s freestyle relay.
She said it will take a lot of focus, determination, and dedication to get back to the Olympics.
“It’s definitely a lot of work but you never know what can happen at Olympic trials. There’s always so many fast swimmers and I just always put my head down and work hard no matter what,” she said.
“Even though I did make the Olympics and win a silver medal, we never know who’s going to be on that stage. So many countries are working hard as well so we just want to make sure we’re working hard.”