Olympic Champion Olivia Smoliga Dives Back Into the Pool – But With a Bold New Twist!
In a move that’s sure to ripple through the swimming world, Olympic gold medalist Olivia Smoliga has announced her return to competitive swimming, this time under the guidance of renowned coach Coley Stickels at Texas Ford Aquatics. But here’s where it gets intriguing: Smoliga’s comeback isn’t just about getting back in the water—it’s about redefining her approach to the sport entirely.
After an eight-month hiatus, Smoliga reflects on her time away with a mix of awe and introspection. “These last eight months have been extraordinary,” she shared. “I’m not surprised they led me back to the pool, but I’m in awe of the path getting here.” At 31, Smoliga’s journey is a testament to resilience and self-discovery. Since her last major competition at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials, she’s only raced once—at the 2025 Toronto World Cup. Yet, her words hint at a deeper transformation: “Maybe it was from this space that I could hear myself better and shed the things that weren’t mine. I thought I’d end up shedding my identity as an athlete completely, when really, I just became aware of the ways that I would block me from myself.”
And this is the part most people miss: Smoliga’s return isn’t just a physical comeback—it’s a mental and emotional rebirth. She’s channeling these insights into a resurgence reminiscent of her 2023 return, but with a critical difference: she’s now training under Coley Stickels, whose sprint-focused philosophy starkly contrasts with Bob Bowman’s high-yardage system she previously followed. Will this shift reignite her career? Or is it a risky gamble?
Smoliga’s move from Tempe, Arizona, to Frisco, Texas, marks more than a change of scenery. Stickels, known for coaching elite swimmers like Daiya Seto, Beryl Gastaldello, Ryan Held, and Blake Pieroni, brings a proven track record. His tenure at Indiana University and the University of Alabama showcased his ability to elevate athletes to international success. Yet, his resignation from Alabama in 2020 to focus on training athletes for global competitions raises questions: Is Stickels the missing piece in Smoliga’s puzzle, or will his sprint-heavy approach clash with her endurance-built foundation?
Smoliga’s career has been nothing short of remarkable. Bursting onto the scene at the 2012 Short Course World Championships, she out-touched the legendary Katinka Hosszu to claim gold in the 100 backstroke. Her collegiate career at the University of Georgia under Jack Bauerle cemented her status as a powerhouse, earning NCAA titles and Olympic medals, including gold in the 4×100 medley relay at the 2016 Rio Olympics. With five World Championship medals, three NCAA individual titles, and a record-setting eight golds at the 2018 Short Course Worlds, Smoliga’s résumé is unparalleled.
Her 2021 move to Bob Bowman’s ASU pro group led to relay qualifications at the 2023 U.S. International Team Trials and silver medals at the 2023 World Championships in Fukuoka. Now, as she embraces Stickels’ sprint-oriented training, the swimming community is buzzing: Can a 31-year-old adapt to such a drastic change in methodology? Or is this the secret sauce to her next triumph?
As Smoliga embarks on this new chapter, one thing is clear: her journey is far from over. But the question remains—will this bold shift in training philosophy propel her to new heights, or will it prove too radical for a seasoned champion? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this is one comeback story you won’t want to miss!
