Regan Smith's Favorite Swimming Venues and Memorable Meets

Regan Smith is one of the most accomplished backstroke and butterfly swimmers in American history. Her rapid rise from a promising junior competitor to a world-record holder and Olympic medalist has been punctuated by a series of remarkable performances at iconic swimming venues around the world. The pools where she trains and competes have not only shaped her career but also created deeply personal memories. Below is an in-depth look at the swimming venues she treasures most and the meets that have defined her journey.

Favorite Swimming Venues

For an elite swimmer, the venue often becomes a second home. Regan has spent countless hours in competition pools that vary from temporary installations to permanent aquatic centers. Each holds a unique place in her story.

The U.S. Olympic Trials Pool – CHI Health Center, Omaha

The U.S. Olympic Trials have been held in Omaha, Nebraska, since 2008, and the pool at the CHI Health Center has witnessed some of the most dramatic moments in American swimming. For Regan, this venue is sacred. In 2021, at just 19 years old, she stepped onto the blocks at the Trials and delivered a stunning performance that secured her spot on the Olympic team. The electric crowd of 14,000 spectators, the bright lights, and the deafening roar after each race created an atmosphere she describes as “unmatched anywhere else.” The pool itself, specially constructed inside the convention center, offers excellent water conditions and a deep, wide arena that allows swimmers to feel the energy from every angle. It was here that she lowered her own world record in the 100-meter backstroke, setting a mark that would stand for years. The combination of high stakes and hometown support makes this her sentimental favorite.

The International Swimming League (ISL) Venues – Budapest and Naples

Competing in the ISL offered Regan a chance to race in innovative, fast-paced formats at some unique pools. The Duna Arena in Budapest, Hungary, is a masterpiece of aquatic architecture. Built for the 2017 World Aquatics Championships, its indoor competition pool has dynamic lighting and a retractable roof that can open to natural air. Regan swam for the Cali Condors and found the dual-meet atmosphere of the ISL incredibly motivating. The energy of relay exchanges, the team cheers in the stands, and the head-to-head battles against international stars like Cate Campbell and Kylie Masse made every session memorable. Another ISL venue she appreciates is the Piscina Felice Scandone in Naples, Italy, known for its historic outdoor setting. Racing under the Mediterranean sun added a relaxed yet competitive vibe to the league’s European stops.

The Short Course World Championship Pool – Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi

When the FINA Short Course World Championships came to Abu Dhabi in 2021, Regan was in top form. The Etihad Arena on Yas Island features a state-of-the-art temporary pool that is widely regarded as one of the fastest in short course history. The water depth, lane width, and filtration system were designed for maximum speed. Regan thrived there, winning multiple medals and setting a world record in the 100-meter backstroke (short course). The arena’s intimate seating of 18,000 creates a close bond between swimmers and the audience, and the climate-controlled indoor environment ensures consistent conditions. She often mentions this venue as one where she felt completely locked into her technique.

The NCAA Competition Pools – Lee & Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center

Since joining the University of Texas Longhorns, Regan has competed at the legendary Jamail Texas Swimming Center in Austin. This outdoor pool has been home to countless NCAA champions and Olympic medalists. She loves the outdoor atmosphere, the constant hum of activity from nearby practice pools, and the presence of the iconic “Texas” sign on the deck. The 50-meter by 25-yard configuration allows for both long course and short course racing, and the pool’s depth (7 feet) helps dissipate waves. Competing here during the Big 12 Championships and the Art Adamson Invitational has given her a strong sense of team pride. For her, it represents the perfect blend of collegiate camaraderie and high-level racing.

Training Home – The RAC in North Baltimore

While not a competition venue, the Meadowbrook Aquatic & Fitness Center in Baltimore, Maryland, deserves mention. This is where Regan began swimming at age six and later trained under coach Paul Yetter. The pool’s 50-meter lanes, diving well, and weight room have been the foundation of her technique and endurance. She has often said that the familiar smell of chlorine and the echoes of past workouts make it the most comfortable place in the world for her to push her limits.

Memorable Meets

The meets themselves are the milestones that define a swimmer’s career. For Regan, several competitions stand out not only for the medals won but for the lessons learned and the bonds formed.

2019 World Aquatics Championships – Gwangju, South Korea

This was Regan’s breakout international meet. At 17, she entered the women’s 100-meter backstroke as a serious contender. She touched the wall first in a personal best of 58.60 seconds, winning gold and becoming one of the youngest American women to claim a world title in that event. The atmosphere in the Nambu University Municipal Aquatics Center was electric, with Korean fans showing immense sportsmanship. The win gave her confidence that she belonged among the best in the world. She also contributed to relays and gained invaluable experience that would carry her into the Olympic year.

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

The delayed Olympics were emotionally complex, but Regan’s performance in Tokyo was nothing short of brilliant. Competing at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre, a state-of-the-art venue with 15,000 seats (empty due to COVID-19 restrictions), she faced the unusual silence of a spectator-less Games. Despite the lack of crowd noise, she delivered a stunning 100-meter backstroke race that earned her a silver medal behind teammate Kaylee McKeown. She also earned a bronze in the 200-meter butterfly and a gold as a member of the 4x100-meter medley relay. Racing in the final at that venue, with only the sounds of splashing and buzzing electronic systems, forced her to focus internally—a discipline she has carried into every subsequent meet.

2022 World Aquatics Championships – Budapest, Hungary

One year after the Olympics, Regan returned to Budapest for the 2022 World Championships. The Duna Arena, familiar from ISL, felt like a home pool. She won gold in the 100-meter backstroke (58.67) and silver in the 200-meter backstroke. The emotion on the podium, after a year of intense training and minor injuries, was overwhelming. This meet proved her consistency and confirmed that her Olympic success was not a one-time event. The Hungarian crowd’s appreciation for swimming created a joyful atmosphere that she calls one of her happiest memories.

2023 World Aquatics Championships – Fukuoka, Japan

The Fukuoka meet brought a different challenge: racing in a city that had been devastated by a typhoon earlier in the year. The Marine Messe Fukuoka pool, newly renovated, hosted the championships in an indoor arena that could be converted to a 50-meter course. Regan had a mixed meet—she missed the podium in the 100 backstroke but bounced back with a silver in the 200 backstroke and a gold in the 4x100 medley relay. The resilience she showed in adapting to a different pool environment and time zone added depth to her résumé. The meet also marked the first time she raced against a younger generation of swimmers, reminding her to stay hungry.

U.S. National Championships – Various Years

Domestically, the U.S. National Championships at locations like the IUPUI Natatorium in Indianapolis and the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston have been pivotal. At the 2021 U.S. Nationals, she set a new American record in the 200-meter backstroke. At the 2023 Nationals, she broke her own championship record. These meets are fiercely competitive because they determine spots on international teams. The pressure of performing in front of national team coaches and the media has sharpened her technique and mental toughness.

The Role of Pool Design in Performance

Regan has become something of a connoisseur of pool design. She notices the subtle differences in lane width, water depth, and gutter systems that influence wave damping and speed. For example, the Olympic Trials pool in Omaha uses a movable bulkhead that allows for multiple short-course configurations, which helps with warm-up logistics. The Duna Arena has an advanced wave-absorbent lane rope system that minimizes turbulence—one reason she swims so well there. Even the color of the lane dividers can affect visual focus; she prefers darker colors that contrast sharply with the water. Understanding these factors has helped her categorize venues into “fast pools” and “slow pools” and adjust her race strategy accordingly.

Memorable Moments Beyond the Medals

Beyond the results, the venues themselves have hosted small moments that Regan remembers vividly. After a particularly hard 200-meter butterfly race at the 2019 World Championships, she sat on the deck in Gwangju, exhausted, and watched teammate Katie Ledecky finish her race. The quiet comradery of sharing a lane line at the end of a session is irreplaceable. At the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, she shared a laugh with Australian rival Kaylee McKeown in the call room—despite the language barrier, a universal joke about nerves brought them together. In Budapest during ISL, she and her teammates painted their fingernails in team colors under the stands. These humanizing experiences make each venue special far beyond its concrete and tiles.

Training Camps and Familiarity

Another aspect of Regan’s favorite venues is how often she has trained at them. The University of Texas facilities, for example, have hosted multiple U.S. national team training camps. Being able to practice starts and turns in the same pool where she will race gives her a comfort advantage. Similarly, the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, despite its altitude, has become a favorite for pre-competition camps because of its quiet setting and high-quality 50-meter pool. She often laughs that she can recognize a venue’s smell—the mix of chlorine, humidity, and sanitizer—from the moment she walks in the door.

Frequently Visited Pools for Taper Meets

Not all favorites are major championship pools. Regan holds a special place for the McKendree University Pool in Lebanon, Illinois, where she swam the 2019 National Club Swimming Association (NCSA) Spring Championships. This 12-lane pool is relatively shallow compared to Olympic standards, but the intimate setting allowed her to set early personal bests that boosted her confidence. She also enjoys the Greensboro Aquatic Center in North Carolina, which hosts the U.S. Open and numerous senior meets. Its 50-meter pool has a deep end that allows for excellent underwater dolphin kicking—something Regan has mastered.

Venue Location Key Race Significance
CHI Health Center Omaha, NE 2021 Olympic Trials Made first Olympic team, broke world record
Duna Arena Budapest, Hungary 2022 World Championships Won two golds in a familiar pool
Etihad Arena Abu Dhabi, UAE 2021 Short Course Worlds Set short course world record
Tokyo Aquatics Centre Tokyo, Japan 2020 Olympics Olympic silver, gold, and bronze
Jamail Texas Swimming Center Austin, TX NCAA Championships Home collegiate pool, team events

Looking Ahead: The Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Pool and Beyond

As Regan continues her career into her mid-20s and beyond, she has her eyes on future venues. The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, which will host the 2028 Olympic swimming events in a temporary pool, presents a new challenge: an outdoor venue with variable wind and sun angles. She has already visited the site and expressed excitement about the historic setting. Additionally, the new aquatic center being built in Brisbane for the 2032 Olympics could become a future favorite. She is also intrigued by the possibility of competing at the Aquatic Centre at Paris La Défense Arena for the 2024 Olympics—a venue that features a convertible 50-meter pool inside a rugby stadium, promising an enormous crowd and deafening noise.

Advice for Young Swimmers Visiting Iconic Pools

Regan often shares advice with younger athletes who get the chance to swim at major venues. She emphasizes the importance of soaking in the atmosphere without being overwhelmed. “When you step onto the deck of the Olympic Trials pool, don’t just see the water—look at the lights, listen to the announcer, feel the vibration of the stands. Use that energy to fuel your race,” she has said in interviews. She recommends arriving early, walking the deck, and visualizing each lap from the blocks to the touch pad. She also cautions against changing technique based on a new pool; the fundamentals stay the same whether the water is clear or slightly tinted, deep or shallow.

External Resources for Fans

To learn more about Regan Smith’s career and the venues she loves, readers can explore the following authoritative sources:

Conclusion

Regan Smith’s favorite swimming venues are more than just pools—they are the backdrop to a remarkable career that continues to inspire upcoming swimmers. From the roar of Omaha to the quiet dignity of Tokyo, each location has left an indelible mark on her as an athlete and as a person. Her story reminds us that great performances are often a partnership between a determined swimmer and the water she trusts. As she continues to train at the University of Texas and compete globally, the list of her favorite venues will undoubtedly grow, but the memories of these formative meets will always remain at the core of her legacy.