After missing the final cut for the 400-meter freestyle, [autotag]Kieran Smith[/autotag] joined the American 4×200 freestyle relay team and helped win silver for the United States at the Paris Olympics.
Smith swam the anchor leg, posting the second-fastest split overall at 1:44.80. He helped secure silver in a race that was Great Britain’s to lose. The British won with a 6:59.43, followed by the United States at 7:00.78 and Australia at 7:01.98.
Smith didn’t swim in the heats, which took place early on Tuesday. 400-meter free bronze medalist Carson Foster, 200-meter bronze medalist Luke Hobson and Smith joined the team late. Hobson handed off to Foster, who handed off to Drew Kibler, the lone holdover from the heats.
Kibler and Smith were both members of the fourth-place team in Tokyo, adding another layer of redemption to the story.
Florida’s medal count is now up to four. [autotag]Caeleb Dressel[/autotag] won gold in the 4×100 freestyle relay, [autotag]Bobby Finke[/autotag] won silver in the 800-meter freestyle and Emma Weyant won bronze in the 400-meter individual medley — all for Team USA.
Kieran Smith as a Florida Gator
Smith spent four years (2018-22) swimming for the Gators, earning 28 All-American nods, four SEC team championships and two national championships.
He burst onto the scene as a freshman, earning SEC Co-Freshman of the Year honors after winning the 200m individual medley with a swim in 2019. As a sophomore, Smith performed even better, qualifying for the NCAA Championships in the 100m, 200m and 500m freestyle.
Smith won his first NCAA Championship in the 200m freestyle as a junior. He also placed second in the 500m free that year. His second national championship came as a member of the 200m freestyle relay team which set a program record of 1:14.11.
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