Kelowna swimmer ‘threw the kitchen sink at it’ but came up short at Olympics

KELOWNA – Kierra Smith gave it her best shot.

The 22-year-old swimmer made it to the final of the Women's 200m breaststroke in Rio Thursday evening, Aug. 11, but fell short of a medal.

Smith came in seventh out of eight swimmers but according to her Twitter she is content knowing she tried her hardest.

It was the first Olympic appearance for the young Kelowna frozen yogurt seller who was born in Vancouver but calls Kelowna home. Smith won a silver medal at the 2011 Pan Am Games and qualified for her first senior national team in 2014.

The Big Ten Swimmer of the Year also made it to the final in the 200m breaststroke at her FINA World Championship debut in 2015.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Adam Proskiw or call 250-718-0428 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.