Amanda Smock

Sport: Track and Field

Nation: United States of America

DOB: July 27, 1982

Hometown: Minneapolis, MN

Career Highlights: After narrowly missing her shot at the 2008 Beijing Games, Smock secured a trip to London by achieving the Olympic "B" qualifying standard in 2011 and jumping well enough at the U.S. trials. Smock is the only American to qualify in the women’s triple jump, but will not be alone in London. She will carry the memory of her father, the reason that Smock has kept her Olympic dreams with her everywhere she goes. When she missed the Games in 2008, her father took the credentials from around his neck, scratched out 2008 and wrote 2012 in its place. He passed away the following year, and Smock uses his memory and the credential to keep pushing for an Olympic medal. Smock’s success started during high school and carried over to North Dakota State, where she won three NCAA Division-II championships in the triple jump. She is married to former North Dakota State runner Greg Smock, who works as a Minneapolis patent attorney. Smock will have quite the birthday present this year, as her 30th birthday happens to fall on the day of the opening ceremonies.

Olympic History: None