Courtesy of WOWSA, Huntington Beach, California.

Dr. Tobie Smith understands elite competition.

Not only did Dr. Smith win the 1999 Manhattan Island Marathon Swim in 6 hours 32 minutes and swam the English Channel in 8 hours 15 minutes in Force 5 winds, but she also represented the USA in international competitions including the 2003 FINA World Championships and the 1998 FINA World Championships where she won gold in the 25 km marathon.

So she understands first-hand the importance of having a level playing field and urinating after a competition to confirm the athletes are conforming to the anti-drug policies and rules governing the swimming world.

Swimming World Magazine reported that USA Swimming nominated Dr. Smith to serve on the United States Anti-Doping Agency. “I was extremely honored when USA Swimming notified me they were nominating me for this position. I am humbled they put their trust in me and feel I can represent the voice of our athletes on USADA’s Board.”

She told Swimming World Magazine, “I remember back when I was being drug tested and – at the same time – needed to be prescribed a medication. My doctor could not tell me if this medicine was banned. He left the decision to take the medicine or not to me. At that point in my athletic career, I needed a pharmaceutical treatment, I needed to pass my drug test and I needed help from my doctor on how to accomplish both. I don’t want our athletes to also find themselves in that situation.”

Copyright © 2016 by World Open Water Swimming Association