Tatjana Smith upped her Olympic medal tally to four last night at the Paris Games, finishing second in the 200m-breaststroke.
The result means she is South Africa’s “GOAT” – greatest of all time – in women’s sport at the Olympics. Earlier this week, the Tuks swimmer won the 100m breaststroke. At the Tokyo Games, she won the 200m breaststroke in world record time and was second in the 100m breaststroke.
Penny Heyns in the breaststroke and Caster Semenya in the 800 metres on the track are the only other female athletes to have won two Olympic gold medals. Heyns has also won a bronze.
It was predicted that tonight’s breaststroke final would be a dogfight. Smith and Kate Douglas (USA) made sure that it was. Smith was in the lead after 50 metres. But from then on, Douglas seemed to have been the stronger swimmer. She took the lead after 100 metres and never relented. Smith made a heroic effort over the last 30 metres but could not get ahead.
Douglas won 2:19.24. Smith swam 2:19.60. Tes Schouten from the Netherlands was third in 2:21.05. Smith’s training partner, Kaylene Corbett, finished seventh swimming 2:24.46.
Afterwards, a smiling Smith said she had no regrets about the race’s outcome.
“It was a fantastic final. It was the first time I raced Kate in an Olympic final. I love to compete as a swimmer, and I did so tonight. It was a fast battle. I could not have asked for a better way to end my swimming career.
“Competitive swimming was never for me only about achievements and medals. In the end, it falls by the wayside. I want to be remembered for whom I am. For the joy I brought to people.
“Swimming was always meant to be only a part of my life – a season. I swam for 22 years. I know I have given it my all. Swimming to me was about to see what I was capable of. I definitely have surprised myself. But there is so much more than only swimming in life. I am excited now to live life. I have no regrets.”
Pieter Coetze finished seventh in the backstroke final, setting an African record (1:55.60). Hubert Kos (Hungary) won the gold in a time of 1:54.26.
“I am grateful to have made the final. There were no real expectations, but in the back of my mind, there was always the goal of winning a medal. But I can’t be too sad. I swam my personal best time. The guys were fast tonight and it really ‘burned’.”