Red Deer’s Tokyo 2020 Olympian Rebecca Smith is back on Canadian soil with a silver medal around her neck. She earned her medal in the Women’s Freestyle Relay (4X100M) but also earned 4th in the Women’s (4X200M) Free Style relay, and 13th in the Mixed Medley Relay (4X100M). 

Smith says she was nervous to compete on the international stage at first but was excited to see her dreams become a reality. 

“I was pretty nervous. I definitely was more nervous at the Olympic Trials just because I wanted to make sure I secured my spot on the team.  Walking out to the pool with those three other girls it just it made it so much better. I've never felt that fast before in a pool. Just to be at the Olympic Games and  know that everything I worked hard for was finally a reality was probably the most memorable part,” said Smith. 

Smith has been swimming since she was 7-years-old and is now 21-years-old.  At the age of 16, she moved to Toronto to train at the High Performance Centre. Her advice for young athletes is to have fun. 

“One of my coaches in Toronto is used to say to me a happy swimmer is a fast swimmer and it’s so true.  You got to have fun with what you're doing. I think that just makes all the difference because once you're enjoying what you're doing, you'll swim fast or succeed in whatever sport you want to do,” said Smith. 

Rebecca Smith addresses the media and fans on August 12, 2021 at the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame.

The medalist admitted she has been carrying her silver medal along with her to share in her victory with friends and family. 

“I'm so proud to be from Alberta. Coming back home in Red Deer just meant so much. I could really feel the love and support when I was in Tokyo. People would send me videos jumping up and down and screaming. This is my first time being back home since Christmas. I think it makes it that much more special. I think I'm still getting used to that. Since I've been home, it's been crazy,” she said.  

Smith will be heading to the University of Calgary this fall to study nursing. She intends to continue swimming competitively in the meantime on the University’s swim team and hopes to compete in the next Olympics as well.