"I just cried for hours and hours" - Regan Smith opens up on emotional turmoil before the Paris Olympics due to coaching change

Regan Smith spoke about her coach Bob Bowman's move to Texas two months before the Paris Olympics and shared her mental toll because of that. She expressed how this unexpected change left her in tears for hours, underscoring the immense mental pressure she faced.

At the 2024 Paris Olympics, the Olympic champion secured one gold in the 4x100 medley relay, three silvers in the 100m backstroke, 200m backstroke, and 200m butterfly, and one bronze in the 4x200 freestyle relay.

Following her success at the 2024 Games, Smith discussed a pivotal moment in December on the Unfiltered Water podcast, hosted by Elizabeth Beisel. In the podcast, she recounted the emotional impact of her coach, relocating to Texas just two months before the Olympic trials.

Smith shared that her coach announced his move on April Fool's Day. She recalled that on Easter Sunday, she was at the Olympic training center, staying with teammates Paige Madden, Drew Kibler, and Chase Kalisz in an Airbnb. She was already not feeling the best at that time as she said:

"From my mental standpoint in the spring was probably the lowest I've ever been in my whole life. And so thank God, I was still able to swim well."

While picking up dinner with Kalisz, he informed her of the news, which deeply affected Smith. She described how she broke down in tears in front of Kalisz. Smith said:

"I just start sobbing. And I feel so bad for him, he didn't know what to do. He was just like, I don't think he'd ever seen me cry that hard before, and so he was just like, oh my god, oh my god. And I couldn't accept it."

"And then I went home, and I just cried for hours and hours and hours. Drew and Chase were trying to console me."

Coach Bowman moved to Texas after accepting a coaching position at the University of Texas, leaving his role at Arizona State University.

In 2023, Regan Smith reflected on her coach's style, appreciating his efficient and personalist training method.

Regan Smith on Bob Bowman's positive coaching style

Regan Smith at World Aquatics Swimming World Cup 2024 Shanghai Stop - Day 1 - Source: Getty

In 2023, Regan Smith opened up about her experience working with Bob Bowman after leaving Stanford. Speaking to Olympics.com, she highlighted her coach's efficient training approach, as both positive and structured.

In the interview, Smith emphasized the value of Bowman's individual coaching, noting how he adapted to each swimmer's needs. She reflected on her personal growth, citing new personal best and coming close to breaking her world record.

Smith credited Bowman's tailored workouts and the motivating environment created by her talented teammates. She said:

“I think just day-to-day the things that I really love and respect about Bob is that like he doesn't bull, and cut corners, you know, he's just very like, ‘Let's get to work, let's get our work done and let's get out of here. He's very efficient. He's very, he's very positive too, which I really appreciate and respect about him.”

In 2023, the Olympic gold medalist set a new American and US Open record in the 200 butterfly at 2:03:87.