Jessica Smith

Biography

Jessica Smith made her Olympic debut at London 2012 where she advanced to the semifinals of the 800m after finishing third at the 2012 Canadian Championships. She also won bronze at the nationals in 2015 after fourth place finishes in 2013 and 2014. She went on to finish fifth in the 800m at the 2015 Pan Am Games in Toronto. Smith first represented Canada at the 2007 Pan American Junior Championships, followed by the 2008 IAAF World Junior Championships. In 2010 she won 800m gold at the NACAC U23 meet. Smith also competed at the 2013 Summer Universiade and 2013 Jeux de la Francophonie, making the final at both events.

Getting to know…

Family: Parents Colin and Kathy Smith… Twin brother Thomas… Getting into the Sport: Started running track in elementary school… Success in high school made her consider pursuing it more seriously as she prepared to attend university… Outside Interests: Enjoys spending her off-season at her cabin in the Okanagan… Works with Events and Marketing in the SFU Athletic Department… Graduated from Simon Fraser University in 2013… Odds and Ends: Nicknames: Jess, JSmith… Coach Brit Townsend is also her role model as a former Canadian record holder and 1984 Olympian… Favourite motto: “Focus on the process, not the outcome”…