South African swimmer Tatjana Smith has won her nation’s and the continent’s first gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, with a sensational performance in the women’s 100 metres breaststroke in a time of 1:05.28 on Monday evening.
China’s world champion Tang Qianting took the silver medal and Mona McSharry of Ireland settled for bronze.
The 27-year-old Smith also won the 100 metres breaststroke title at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, while setting a world record in the 200-metre breaststroke at the Games three years ago.
“I don’t think anyone can explain it. It took a village to get me to where I am today,” Smith said after her race. “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,” Smith said excitedly.
She added, “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.”
Congratulating Smith in a post on his official X account, South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa, wrote, “Congratulations to our repeat Olympic champion, Tatjana Smith, for earning South Africa’s first gold medal at #Paris2024 with her stunning surge in the 100m breaststroke in the Paris La Defense Arena pool.”
Smith will now attempt to win double gold medals at the Games as she is set to compete in the 200m breaststroke, which is reputed to be her stronger event. If she wins a medal in the 200m breaststroke, she will become South Africa’s most decorated Olympian, tied with Chad le Clos with four Olympic medals.
