South Africa’s golden girl Tatjana Smith clinched another victory at the 2024 Paris Olympics with her silver medal in the 200m breaststroke, securing her place just narrowly behind the gold.
Tatjana now holds a total of four medals (two gold and two silver), joining Chad le Clos but moving ahead in terms of the weight of her medals.
She already has the 100m breaststroke gold in her bag having delivered a flawless final stroke earlier in the week to secure her victory after countless hours of hard work and dedication.
Meanwhile the 27-year-old swimmer and multiple gold and silver medalist has officially announced her retirement.
Tatjana retires as South Africa’s most successful Olympian of all time, however, her impact as an athlete will live beyond her years.
“It was an amazing battle and I’ve never raced Kate (Douglass) in an Olympic final before. I couldn’t have asked for a better way to end my career in a very tough battle. I’ve always loved competing,” she says in a post-meet interview. She also emphasised how the accolades are never the main focus for her, but rather the impact she had on the people who support her.
“It’s never been about that (medals), achievements fall away but you want to be remembered for who you are. I hope I’m remembered for bringing people joy,” said Tatjana.
Tatjana also won Team South Africa’s first gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics on Monday night, coming from behind to the women’s 100m breast stroke final.
Compiled by Ilze-Mari Van Zyl
First published by Cape Town etc
