Marina Olmstead started swimming at the age of 11. Only two years after, due to harassing politics of Mississippi Swimming, Olmstead started training solo under the coaching of her father, Bryan Olmstead. Within months, Olmstead easily began qualifying for Sectionals, and later qualified for Zones, Futures, and junior nationals.

Olmstead’s high school accomplishments include being a state champion gold medalist in about 20 events over her career, state record holder in the women’s 100yard backstroke for 15-16 and 17+ ages (2016,2017+), two-time member of the All Scholastic All American team (2017, 2018), medalist at Senior Sectionals, and a qualifier for winter Junior nationals (2018). Olmstead finished her high school career by signing to swim for the University of Alabama’s Swimming and Diving Team in 2018, in which she was the first female swimmer to sign with UA in over 20 years.

After high school, Olmstead represented UA (2019-2020) before transferring to the University of New Mexico, becoming a prominent member of their Women’s Swim and Dive Team. During her transfer, Olmstead also became a member of the Chinese-Taipei Swimming Association National Team in 2020, located in Taiwan, where she also won many national medals. During her time at UNM (2021-2023) Olmstead competed in every Mountain West Conference Championships for all her main events (100y bk, fr, fly, 50 fr) as well as the A relays of 200, 400 freestyle and 200 Medley. Olmstead was also a member of LOBO Fellows.

After 2023 spring semester, Olmstead returned to Taichung, Taiwan to finish her career on her national team. From 2023 to the end of 2024, Olmstead won many national medals (including gold) during championships such as the President’s Cup, National Short Games, etc. Olmstead was invited to represent Taiwan in the 2024 World Aquatics Swimming Championships hosted in Shanghai, China. At the end of 2024, Olmstead transitioned from in the water to a coach on deck, making her one of the most accomplished female athletes, nonetheless swimmers, who have ever come from Mississippi.