A Stanford sophomore named Sammy Smith is pursuing a rare dual-sport Olympic path, competing in NCAA soccer while aiming for the 2026 Winter Olympics in cross-country skiing.

Smith is set to race sprint events in the Winter Games, and she believes her diverse athletic background could lift her performance in both soccer and skiing.

Her upbringing emphasized breadth over early specialization, with family support and coaching that encouraged playing multiple sports.

At Stanford, she balances rigorous academics and athletics, aided by coaches such as Rick Kapala and by training facilities like a mobile classic ski treadmill near campus for year-round preparation.

Her unconventional path includes training across Alaska, Sun Valley, and Lake Placid, while also attending national soccer camps during the same period.

Athleticism runs in her family, with sister Logan as a Stanford soccer player and brother Tucker playing soccer at Duke, illustrating a multi-sport family culture.

Smith secured her Olympic dream by winning a World Cup sprint heat in Oberhof, clinching a top-two finish that earned her a spot on the U.S. Olympic team.