Olivia Smoliga

Olivia Smoliga stunned the swimming world when she won the 100 backstroke title at the 2016 Olympic Trials, a changing-of-the-guard moment in women’s swimming. In that race, Smoliga and Kathleen Baker qualified for Rio, while swimming legends Natalie Coughlin and Missy Franklin couldn’t quite keep up with the young guns.

Olivia Smoliga won her first Olympic gold medal in 2016 as part of the 4x100-meter relay team, but she's far from satisfied. The 24-year-old will enter the 2021 Summer Games as a contender to earn her first individual medal. As part of her preparations for what lies ahead, Smoliga made an appearance on the B/R app for a live Q&A session Tuesday.

Ryan Murphy poses for a portrait during the Team USA Tokyo 2020 Olympics shoot on Nov. 23, 2019 in West Hollywood, Calif. When it comes to U.S. athletes winning Olympic medals, the swimming pool is a veritable well of gold, silver, and bronze. And the backstroke is the deepest well of all.

Atlanta Classic: Rhyan White and Olivia Smoliga Set For Duel in 100 Backstroke. One of the surprise developments from Friday night’s action at the Atlanta Classic was Olivia Smoliga’s impressive victory in the 200-meter freestyle. By clocking 1:57.04, the Team USA veteran confirmed her status as a top contender for an 800 freestyle relay slot at next month’s United States Olympic Trials in Omaha.

Kieran Smith and Olivia Smoliga Dominate 200 Freestyle at Atlanta Classic. Earlier this year, through what he produced for the University of Florida in NCAA competition, Kieran Smith generated considerable hype for what he might manage during an Olympic summer. Well, an indication came in impressive fashion on Friday night, as Smith raced at the Atlanta Classic, a final tuneup for next month’s Olympic Trials in Omaha.