Head Shot
Canoe/Kayak

Michal

Smolen

Olympian 2016, 2020

Athlete Bio#

Height

5'11"

Age

31

Hometown

Charlotte, NC

Education

DeVry University '22, Business Communications

Quick Facts
  • Nickname is "Meesh"
  • Was born and raised in Krakow, Poland until he was 10 years old
  • Hobbies include playing guitar, traveling and coaching
  • His dad, Rafal Smolen, was on the Polish National Team
  • His mother was on the Polish national team for handball
  • Role Model is Campbell Walsh
Career Highlights
  • 2021 U.S. Team Trials: 1st
  • 2021 World Cup (Prague): 5th
  • 2021 World Cup (Markkleeberg, Germany): 7th
  • 2019 U.S. Team Trials: 1st
  • 2017 World Cup (Ivera, Italy): 2nd in K1
  • 2017 Oceania Championships: 1st
  • 2016 World Cup No. 5: 9th
  • 2016 World Cup No. 4: 10th
  • 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Trials: 1st in K1 and 2nd in C2 with Zach Lokken
  • 2015 Pan American Games: GOLD
  • 2014 World Cup No. 4: 12th
  • 2014 World Cup No. 3: BRONZE
  • 2013 World Cup Final: 39th, SILVER in Team K1
  • 2012 U.S. National Champion in K1
  • 2012 US Olympic Team Trials: 2nd
  • 2011 Vadja Teen Cup: FIRST overall
  • 2010 Junior World Championships: 4th
Olympic Experience
  • 2-time Olympian
    • Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, 5th (K1 - Men)
    • Olympic Games Rio de Janeiro 2016, 12th (K1 - Men)
World Championship Experience
  • Most recent: 2021 – 12th (K1 Team - Men), 26th (K1 - Men)
  • Years of participation: K1 - Men 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021; K1 Team - Men 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021; CSLX - Men 2017, 2018, 2019
  • Medals: 1 (1 bronze)
    • Bronze – 2015 (K1 - Men)
More

American Canoe Association Bio

Personal Website

Explore More Athletes

Jonas
Ecker

Nevin
Harrison

Bryce
Bennett

Brittany
Bowe

Jamie
Anderson