SHE never ceases to amaze.
SA’s ‘golden girl’ did it once again last night by winning the first gold medal for her country, at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games after coming from behind to take first place in the 100m breaststroke heat.
Yes, its none other than ‘smiling assassin’ Tatjana Smith (nee Schoenmaker) as she kept tending to her wet hair.
Smith came into the final as the favourite, having swum identical heat and semifinal times of 1:05.00, faster than any of her adversaries.
She had to overcome a lot from Covid and other personal issues, yet Tatjana showed no remorse to her competitors China’s Tang Qianting and Mona McSharry from Ireland, who had to settle for second and third positions, respectively.
The night belonged to her, as she ran to her parents, husband and teammates, pre and post the award ceremony, as crowd clapped and whistled for her.
Tajana was quoted as having said:” I don’t think anyone can explain it. It took a village to get me to where I am today.”
I know they would have been proud even if I didn’t have a medal.
“I swam for everyone that believed in me and for the country as well,” she said.
“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.
“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.
“I gave it my best and I’m so grateful I’m walking away with the gold medal,” said the emotional Tatjana.
She is set to compete in her favourite 200m breaststroke, and a big fat chance is, she will add another medal.
If Smith does medal in the 200m breaststroke, she will become South Africa’s most decorated Olympian, tied with Chad le Clos with four Olympic medals.
All the best to her and Team SA at the Olympics!
Image supplied (SA’s golden girl Tatjana Smith, posing with China’s Tang Qianting and Mona McSharry from Ireland).
