Almost every kid loves to swim during the hot summer months, but few get to do so on an international stage. Today, Milledgeville native Jos Smith will be attempting to do just that as he competes at the Olympic trials.

Smith, who began swimming at the age of four, has been training at the University of Florida all year where he is a rising senior on the school’s swim team.

Smith qualified for the trials by swimming the events in the set amount of time to make the cut.

“First I got my 50 free(qualifying time) at the SEC Championships, and I got my 100 meter free cut at Charlotte Ultra Swim. Basically you just make the cut, and you get to come out to the meet.”

Smith first realized his future in swimming his sophomore year of high school when he joined Swim Macon and had to choose between sports.

“At about my sophomore year or junior year of high school I had to decide between soccer and swimming and enjoyed racing so much and saw my future in swimming and started training a little harder and got into the University of Florida.”

Smith will compete today in the 100-meter freestyle and then again on Friday in the 50-meter free at the Quest center in Omaha, a basketball arena turned temporary natatorium for the trials.

“The pool is in a basketball arena. It’s definitely the most impressive pool I’ve ever seen in my life. It’s a little intimidating. But people have been swimming fast and I’m excited to swim.”

If Smith is to make the Olympics he will have to swim faster than almost 1200 who have also qualified for the U.S. team since only 52 will make the trip to China.

“I saw a shirt today that said If you have a lane, you have a chance, and while I wouldn’t consider myself a front runner, but I wouldn’t count myself out,” said Smith.

No matter whether Smith makes it to Beijing, he admits that the Olympics have always been a dream.

“It’s always one of those things that growing up you think about when you are little. It’s the ultimate dream. I’m anxious to get in the water and start competing.”

One factor that may make a difference in the new suit that Speedo recently unveiled, which has already helped others break world records.

“It’s impressive. I dropped two seconds in the 100 fly. But it is tight. I felt like I couldn’t breathe the last 15 meters; it was that tight.”

Regardless of the outcome, Smith will likely end his swimming career next year after the NCAA championships.