Tatjana Smith took South Africa's first gold of the Paris Olympics on Monday and added the 100 metres breaststroke title to the 200 metres she won at Tokyo 2021 under her maiden name of Schoenmaker.
She touched the wall with a time of 1:05.28, before breaking down in tears of joy.
“I think everyone is so proud,” she said after the race, talking about what she thinks the reaction will be like back in her home country.
“I think they would have been proud even if I did not win a medal. That’s what I am really grateful for, really just the people in my life, they have been so supportive. It’s the small things that make us and drive us as athletes.”
After taking the silver medal in the event at Tokyo 2020, Smith stood on the top of the podium with the gold medal around her neck. This will be her first gold medal of Paris 2024, but lifetime second as she took the title in the 200m breaststroke in Tokyo.
