Tatjana Smith (née Schoenmaker) has etched her name in Olympic history by claiming South Africa’s first gold medal at the Paris 2024 Games in a heart-stopping 100m breaststroke final.
Her victory also marked Africa’s first gold of the competition, highlighting the significance of her achievement on a continental scale.
The final, held at the La Défence Arena in the French capital, was a nail-biter from start to finish. Smith, who entered as the favourite after posting identical heat and semi-final times of 1:05.00, found herself in fourth place at the halfway mark. The slow start raised concerns, but Smith’s expertise as a 200m specialist came to the fore in the final 25 metres.
China’s Tang Qianting led for most of the race, at one point holding a one-metre advantage. Ireland’s Mona McSharry also proved a formidable opponent. However, Smith’s late surge saw her close the gap dramatically, timing her final lunge perfectly to touch the wall first in 1:05.28. Tang secured silver, just 0.26 seconds behind, while McSharry took bronze with a time of 1:05.59.
This gold medal performance marks a significant improvement for Smith, who narrowly missed the top spot in Tokyo three years ago, settling for silver. Her emotional reaction upon realising her victory underscored the magnitude of the moment.
“I don’t think anyone can explain it. It took a village to get me to where I am today,” Smith said post-race. “I swam for everyone that believed in me and for the country as well.”
Smith emphasised the team’s motivation and the broader impact of her achievement. “Our team hashtag is ‘for my country’ and it really is. We just want to inspire somebody at home to know that they don’t have to disqualify themselves from any race, and that they can also potentially be an Olympic champion.”
Tatjana Smith of Team South Africa could barely look up from the water after touching the wall before realising she had won. (Photo: EPA-EFE / Anna Szilagayi)
Reflecting on her performance, Smith highlighted her focus on personal growth and execution. “There is always something to learn out of every race. I wanted to focus on my own race and really just did that. Even if I didn’t get a medal I would’ve been happy because there are things that you want to do based on your plan.”
The Olympic schedule presented its own challenges, as Smith noted, “It is challenging having the morning off and then coming back for the final, so it’s really about getting the recovery right.”
Her approach to the final showcased a blend of competitiveness and enjoyment. “In a final, if you have a lane, you have a chance and we were all really fighting. I just tried to enjoy the race. In the heats and semis I really go for good times so that when I get to the final I know I can do it, enjoy it and take in the experience and not have to stress about times.”
Smith’s mental strategy proved crucial in her victory. “I didn’t focus on anyone else. I knew that to do well I had to be the best version of myself and focus on my own race. I’m grateful that my hands touched the wall first.”
Looking ahead, Smith has the opportunity to add to her medal tally in the 200m breaststroke, historically her stronger event. A podium finish there would elevate her to the status of South Africa’s most decorated Olympian, potentially tying Chad le Clos’ record of four Olympic medals.
