Smith was an Olympic bronze medallist and won six medals in major international swimming championships as a member of British or English teams.

He was part of the bronze medal winning team in the men's 4×100-metre medley relay alongside teammates Gary Abraham, Duncan Goodhew and David Lowe.

In 2019, Smith was inducted into the University of Arkansas Sports Hall of Honor for his achievements as a Razorback swimmer, football player and coach.

[9] He was locked in a kicking competition at the beginning of the season, finally satisfying head coach Lou Holtz.

His brother Neil Smith was an international water polo player representing England and Great Britain on the Under 21 years teams, represented Great Britain at the World Life Saving Championships in Berlin in 1978, and British Police and England in the 1974 European Wrestling championships where he won a bronze medal.