Schmitt Reflects on Olympic Career and Life After Volleyball

When Canada qualified for the 2016 Rio Games they ended a 24-year drought in Olympic appearances for men’s volleyball. Playing a huge part in that achievement was right-side attacker Gavin Schmitt. The 6 ft 10 Saskatoon native had come a long way since first making the national team back in 2007. In the decade that followed, Schmitt would transform from a physically gifted player with potential to an international powerhouse known all over the world. The highly sought-after attacking machine would go on to play professionally in Greece, France, Turkey, Russia, Poland, and South Korea, and lead Canada to a 5^th place finish at the 2016 Olympics.

As the 2021 edition of the Canadian Men’s Volleyball team looks to make its mark in Tokyo, Schmitt will be watching and cheering from back home in Saskatchewan. The leading point scorer for Canada at the last games, has now officially retired from volleyball. Schmitt admits he had been playing on “borrowed time” for a number of years, having been plagued by injuries including surgeries to his left and right shin, a dislocated shoulder, and cartilage torn in his left hip. Due to the injuries he was never really sure which season would be his last. As it turns out, his final professional volleyball experience would also be one of his toughest.

“My last season in South Korea was a really tough one due to their draft system. The last place team who won four games the year before, got to pick first and I was selected. It meant being a part of a huge rebuild and a different realm for me to be part of a team just fighting to win a game. And then because of Covid-19 the entire season was eventually called and I was sent back home to Canada.”

Though not the way Schmitt would have wanted to end his career, he has no regrets about what he achieved along the way.

“The biggest highlight was qualifying for the Olympics, even over actually going to the Olympics. Getting there had been such a big hurdle. It was so emotional and quite the path to get through that tournament, so qualifying was huge. Getting to compete at the Olympics was the cap on a career, it checked a big box and allowed me to take a breath. It allowed me to step back from the national team and feel like I had achieved that goal.”

Going to the 2016 Olympics proved to be a life changing experience in more ways than just on the volleyball court. It was in Rio where Schmitt met Karine Thomas, the highly decorated Canadian synchronized swimmer, at a gathering for athletes. Both Schmitt and Thomas had been reluctant to attend the event, but were eventually convinced by Team Canada staff, and it was probably a good thing for both that they listened.

“We met there and just started chatting. We hit it off but went our separate directions and then through the internet got back in touch months later. She retired from synchronized swimming after Rio and decided to start travelling with me. Karine had been back home in Montreal and I was back home in Saskatoon, but we then decided to go all-in.”

Fast forward to a few years after their Olympic meeting, and Schmitt and Thomas are now happily married. The newlyweds now call Saskatoon home and six months ago expanded their family when they welcomed baby Callan. It’s safe to say life is pretty busy for the recently retired volleyball star – a new wife, new job, new house, new baby and a very needy dog (as described by Schmitt) is keeping him on his toes. But transitioning from full-time athlete into these new roles has come with challenges.

“You get used to doing the sport you love day in and day out and when it’s over it leaves a hole. Letting that go is a big adjustment. I miss all of it, especially the guys. Time spent with the team and the relationships you have. It’s like having another family. Friends are colleagues. I miss the long bus rides, the travel and shared experiences, and I miss the fire of competition and the emotions and adrenaline rush. You hear about how difficult it is to adapt to life after sport but it’s hard to prepare for.”

Schmitt is taking advantage of the resources that Athletes Canada provides for professional athletes transitioning out of their careers and he urged others to get help if they need it.

“For any athlete who is about to go through it there are resources out there. Whether you feel it right away or not, it is tough to give up that side of your life. It can be a big change for everyone.”

For now, Schmitt can look on with pride at the momentum he created for the Canadian men’s volleyball program, who made history when they qualified for Tokyo. It is the first time Canada’s team has made consecutive appearances at the Olympics. The current squad has a talent and depth that Schmitt says has only grown since Rio, and can hopefully be carried forward to future Olympic appearances.