Tatjana Smith proved tonight at the Paris Olympic Games with her victory in the 100m-breaststroke that cometh the hour cometh the Woman.
The Tuks swimmer’s heroics led South Africa to win their first Olympic gold medal.
It was undoubtedly one of the Tuks swimmer’s best performances yet. After the first 50 metres, she was in the fourth place. But the moment she turned, it was a case of race-on. She timed her final surge to perfection at the wall as in the heats and the semifinal. Showing again that she has ice in her veins.
But even the toughest do cry. The moment Smith touched the wall, she realised that she had won. She could not help but cry. It was tears of joy.
A delighted Smith said afterwards she had difficulty putting words to her emotions.
“My emotions ran high. It took a ‘village’ to get me where I am today. I swam for everyone who has been there for me and believed in me.”
Smith added that she dedicates her gold medal to every South African.
“I hope my achievements will inspire young athletes to believe anything is possible.”
Smith won in a time of 1:05.28. China’s Qianting Tang, who led most of the race, was second in 1:05.54. Ireland’s Mona McSharry was third in 1:05.59.
What is remarkable about Smith’s performance is that after winning gold and silver at the Tokyo Games, she went through a nasty patch. There was a stage where she even contemplated quitting swimming. Being the fighter she is, she did not.
Even this season, Smith’s resilience was tested in the buildup to Paris. Before the national championships in April, she got injured. The doctor advised her not to compete at the nationals because she was at risk of being sidelined for up to six months if she did compete. Again, Smith was not going to quit. She just changed her technique and went on to win two golds.
Smith is the third South African female athlete to have won two gold medals at the Olympic Games. She could up her tally on Thursday night when she competes in the 200m-breaststroke final.
Penny Heyns has also won three medals (two gold and one bronze) as a breaststroke swimmer. Caster Semenya twice won gold in the 800 metres.
Pieter Coetzé finished fifth in the 100m-backstroke final, setting an African record again. His time was 52.58s. In the semifinal, he swam 52.63s. Italy’s world record holder, Thomas Ceccon, won in a time of 52.00s.
Interestingly, the Tuks swimmer is only the fourth South African male swimmer to compete in an Olympic final since 2016. The others are Chad le Clos, Cameron van der Burgh and Brad Tandy.
Both Smith and Coetzé are coached by Rocco Meiring (TuksSwimming head coach)