1. Olivia Smoliga was born on October 12,1994 and is a two-time Olympian and American competitive swimmer who specializes in backstroke and freestyle events.
15 Facts About Olivia Smoliga
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Olivia Smoliga won a record eight gold medals at the 2018 World Championships, becoming the first swimmer, male or female, to win eight or more gold medals in a single FINA World Swimming Championships or FINA World Aquatics Championships.
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Olivia Smoliga is the current Guinness World Record holder for "most gold medals won at a single FINA World Championships" by an individual swimmer.
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Olivia Smoliga has a younger brother, Matt, who plays hockey.
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At the 2012 United States Olympic Trials, the qualifying meet for the 2012 Olympics, Olivia Smoliga missed the Olympic team by finishing fourth in the 100-meter backstroke and twenty-third in the 50-meter freestyle.
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At the Illinois State High School Championships in November 2012, Olivia Smoliga broke the national high school records in both the 100-yard backstroke and 50-yard freestyle.
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At the 2012 FINA Short Course World Championships in Istanbul, her first major international competition, Olivia Smoliga won a total of four medals: two gold, one silver, and one bronze.
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Olivia Smoliga was struck with mononucleosis prior to the 2014 Phillips 66 National Championships, leading her to bad results in both that championship and the 2015 NCAA tournament.
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Olivia Smoliga won the silver at the 100m backstroke with a 1:00.06, her third fastest time ever.
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In Rio, Olivia Smoliga finished sixth in the individual 100m backstroke with a time of 58.95, a personal best.
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At the 2018 World Championships in Hangzhou, China, Olivia Smoliga won a record eight gold medals, setting a new Guinness World Record for the "most number of gold medals won at a single FINA World Championships" by one swimmer, and breaking the former record of seven gold medals held by Michael Phelps and Caeleb Dressel.
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Olivia Smoliga went eight-for-eight at the Championships, winning the gold medal in every event she raced.
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Olivia Smoliga was not chosen to swim in the finals.
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In 2019 Olivia Smoliga was a member of the inaugural International Swimming League representing the Cali Condors, who finished third place in the final match in Las Vegas, Nevada in December.
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Olivia Smoliga was a top 10 point scorer for the season winning many events including the 50 backstroke in the final.