Leanne Smith (swimmer)

Leanne Smith (born May 8, 1988) is an American Paralympic swimmer who represented the United States at the 2020 Summer Paralympics.[1]

Leanne Smith
Personal information
Born (1988-05-08) May 8, 1988
Beverly, Massachusetts, U.S.
Home townSalem, Massachusetts, U.S.
Sport
SportParalympic swimming
DisabilityDystonia
Disability classS3, SM3
Medal record
Women's paralympic swimming
Representing  United States
Paralympic Games
2020 Tokyo100 m freestyle S3
World Championships
2019 London50 m breaststroke S3
2019 London100 m freestyle S3
2019 London150 m ind. medley SM4
2022 Madeira50 m breaststroke SB3
2022 Madeira50 m backstroke S3
2022 Madeira50 m freestyle S3
2022 Madeira100 m freestyle S3
2022 Madeira200 m freestyle S3
2022 Madeira150 m ind. medley SM4
2022 MadeiraMixed 4×50 m medley 20pts
2019 London50 m backstroke S3
2023 Manchester200 m freestyle S3

Career

Smith represented the United States in the women's 100 metre freestyle S3 event and won a silver medal at the 2020 Summer Paralympics.[2]

On April 14, 2022, Smith was named to the roster to represent the United States at the 2022 World Para Swimming Championships.[3] At the World Championships, she won a gold medal in all seven events she participated in, to lead all swimmers in gold medals. Her seven gold medals were the most in a single championships by an American since Jessica Long also won seven gold medals in 2010.[4]

Following the 2022 World Para Championships, she fell ill with a respiratory infection. As a result, she spent several weeks in the hospital with a partially collapsed lung, including time in the intensive care unit. During this time she had to relearn how to eat, speak, swallow and swim.[5] After extensive rehab on April 29, 2023, Smith was named to the roster to represent the United States at the 2023 World Para Swimming Championships. During the event she won a bronze medal in the 200 metre freestyle S3 event.[6]

Personal life

In 2012 Smith was diagnosed with dystonia, a progressive disease which affects all four of her limbs, her vocal cords and her trunk. She was also diagnosed with lupus.[7][8]

References
  1. "Leanne Smith". TeamUSA.org. Archived from the original on July 29, 2021. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
  2. "Swimming - Leanne Smith". Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Archived from the original on August 30, 2021. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
  3. Gowdy, Kristen (April 14, 2022). "U.S. Paralympics Swimming Nominates 25 athletes to World Championship Roster". teamusa.org. Archived from the original on May 16, 2022. Retrieved April 14, 2022.
  4. "Leanne Smith leads U.S. with seven golds at world para swimming championships". NBC Sports. June 18, 2022. Retrieved June 18, 2022.
  5. Costantini, Lisa (January 16, 2024). "Paralympic Swimmer Leanne Smith On Her Comeback Story". teamusa.com. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  6. Overend, Riley (April 29, 2023). "U.S. Paralympics Swimming Selects 22 (Including Just 6 Men) for 2023 Worlds Roster". swimswam.com. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
  7. Bowker, Paul D. (June 16, 2022). "Swimming Began As Rehabilitation For Leanne Smith; Now She Can't Stop Winning". teamusa.com. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  8. Meyer, Dan (October 5, 2023). "How Community Keeps Para Swimmer Leanne Smith Strong Anywhere She Goes". NBC Sports. Retrieved October 5, 2023.


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