Where is Michelle Smith Now? Did Michelle Smith Lose Her Medals?
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Updated Jul 31, 2024
Where is Michelle Smith Now?
Michelle Smith is now living in Kells, County Kilkenny, with her husband Erik de Bruin and their two children. After her swimming career ended in 1998 due to a ban, she stepped away from the spotlight. Michelle decided to study law and graduated from University College Dublin. She became a barrister in 2005 and wrote a book about international law.
She is an expert in legal issues related to the European Union and Brexit. Today, she is often known by her married name, Michelle de Bruin. Michelle and her family are enjoying their life together in Ireland, and she is no longer involved in swimming.
Did Michelle Smith Lose Her Medals?
No, Michelle Smith did not lose her Olympic medals. She won three gold medals and one bronze medal at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia. Even though her swimming career ended in 1998 due to a ban for tampering with a urine sample, the medals she won at the 1996 Olympics were not taken away. Michelle's achievements remain part of Olympic history. After her swimming career, she focused on a new career in law and became a barrister.
Michelle Smith Doping
Michelle Smith faced doping allegations after the 1996 Olympics. In 1998, she was banned for four years by FINA for tampering with her urine sample using alcohol. With this, she was not stripped of her Olympic medals, as she never tested positive for banned substances.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport CAS upheld the ban after hearing evidence that she had taken a substance called androstenedione shortly before the test. At the time, androstenedione was not banned, but it was later classified as a banned substance by the International Olympic Committee. Michelle has always denied using illegal drugs.
Michelle Smith Olympic Swimmer
Michelle Smith started swimming at nine years old and quickly became very good. By the time she was 14, she was already winning big competitions in Ireland. In 1991, she competed in the World Championships and did well, but it was the 1992 Barcelona Olympics where she first appeared on the world stage. She competed in three events, even though she was injured.
Michelle really made a splash at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, where she won three gold medals and one bronze. There was some drama because she was allowed to compete in the 400 m freestyle after missing the deadline for registration, but she still managed to win and make history.
Who is Michelle Smith?
Michelle Smith de Bruin is an Irish lawyer and retired Olympic swimmer born on December 16, 1969. She became famous for winning three gold medals and one bronze medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. She won gold in the 400 m individual medley, 400 m freestyle, and 200 m individual medley, and bronze in the 200 m butterfly. Michelle was very successful in swimming, especially at the 1995 European Championships.
However, she was later banned for four years because she was found to have tampered with a drug test by adding alcohol to her sample. Despite this, her Olympic medals were not taken away, and she is still Ireland’s most successful Olympian. She later became a lawyer and uses the name Michelle de Bruin.
| Full Name | Michelle Smith de Bruin |
| Born | December 16, 1969 (age 54) |
| Birthplace | Rathcoole, County Dublin, Ireland |
| Sport | Swimming |
| Strokes | Freestyle, Butterfly, Individual Medley |
| Coach | Erik de Bruin |
https://www.instagram.com/p/CrVzXGiuUmq/?hl=en
Michelle Smith Age
Michelle Smith de Bruin was born on December 16, 1969, and she is 54 years old. She grew up in Rathcoole, County Dublin, Ireland, and is known for her achievements in swimming. She won three gold medals and one bronze medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics. Even though she faced some issues later in her career, she is still celebrated as one of Ireland's most successful Olympians.
