He was a British water polo player who competed as goalkeeper for the England Water Polo team which won gold medals in the London games of 1908, and the Stockholm games of 1912.

On 13 July 1924, he played his last match at the age of 45 years and 169 days in the Paris Olympics.

At the age of 41 years and 216 days, he won the third Olympic gold medal on 29 August 1920.

Smith is one of ten male athletes who won three Olympic gold medals in water polo.

[1] Smith was chosen to represent the country as the flag bearer at the 1912 Summer Olympics in Stockholm, Sweden.