Anabelle Smith doesn’t need this article.

If anything, she wants to fly under the radar in the lead-up to next weekend’s Diving Olympic Trials in Ringwood. Having made the Olympic team in 2012, Smith is acutely aware of the different emotions she is experiencing leading into this Olympic Trials compared to those felt four years ago.

“Having been to one (Olympic Games), I’ve got experience and know what it’s all about. But that makes these Trials a little bit more stressful because I know what’s at stake.”

“Four years ago I was definitely a little more naive to the process, but now that I’ve been to an Olympics and know how amazing it is, it makes me want to go again even more.”

At just 23, Smith is a relative veteran in a sport that sometimes proves taxing on young bodies and leads to early retirements. Yet despite her rigorous VIS training schedule and a number of injuries since 2012, including severing the middle finger on her right hand in a gym accident, Smith has remained relentless with her commitment.

“After a bit of a break after London, where I had a month or so off, I was back into training, and other than a few injuries haven’t really stopped.”

The former Ringwood diver now balances her diving commitments with her university studies, where she is completing a bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Sport Science. But unlike some of Smith’s peers, retirement from the sport remains far from her mind.

“I’m still pretty young and female divers often keep going into their 30s these days, so you never know.”

Having been an elite athlete for several years, Anabelle has certainly learnt a lot. When asked what advice she would give her 15-year-old self if she could go back in time, Anabelle’s answer is succinct.

“I’d probably just say you have no idea what diving’s got in store for you!”

Whilst humble and grounded, Smith has a lot to be proud of, evidenced by the tattoo of the Olympic rings that now proudly adorn her wrist, with ‘2012’ printed underneath. The obvious question Anabelle is often asked is whether she’ll get another tattoo should she make the 2016 team bound for Rio.

“Sure” she says with a laugh… “I’d probably get the rings on my forehead!”

Anabelle Smith is competing at the 2016 Australian Open Diving Championships incorporating the Rio Nomination Trials at Aquanation in Ringwood from 26 - 29 May, 2016.