While plenty of South Africans were celebrating Tatjana Smith’s Olympic gold medal in the 100m breaststroke in Paris last night, there was no time for the swimmer herself to bask in the moment.
Wednesday morning sees the 27-year-old back at La Defense Arena pool for the heats of the 200m breaststroke, the event she won in such spectacular fashion in Tokyo three years ago, where she set a new world record.
Despite now being the Olympic champion in the 100m event, Smith is better known as a 200m breaststroker and will head into the race as favourite for another gold.
That position has been made even stronger by the fact that the Russian swimmer who broke her Tokyo world record last year and who produced the fastest time in the world this year (2:18.98) at a Russian Cup event a few days ago, Evgenia Chikunova, is not competing at these Games.
Smith has recorded the second fastest time in the world this year – the 2:19.01 she swam at the SA National Championships in Gqeberha in April – and her speed in the 100m in Paris bodes well for her title defence.
“It's a whole different race, so I'm a little nervous because it's obviously an extra 100m and we have to try and swim that three times as well if I'm lucky to make the final,” she said of the 200m event.
“So ja, I just want to recover well, rest, and take each day, day by day.”
Should Smith successfully defend her 200m breaststroke title and claim a second gold in Paris, she will become only the second woman in history to pull off an Olympic 100-200m breaststroke double after Penny Heyns back in 1996.
🇿🇦🥇 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚 🥇 🇿🇦
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) July 29, 2024
Tatjana Smith take a bow 👏👏👏
Look at what it meant for her and the South Africans in attendance 🥺#Paris2024 | #CloserToYourChampions pic.twitter.com/GxPEADzS1u
“I never focus on that,” she said of that possibility. “I think once you try fighting for that, like it really just has to happen if it's supposed to happen.
“I know God has a plan for everything, and I just go out there and swim my best, and I know that every time I dive in I'm trying as hard as possible, so that's what I do every single race,
“If it happens to be like that then I'm very grateful, it's a massive blessing, but I think the biggest blessing is just to be able to walk this journey with God and know that he’s by my side no matter what.”
Smith also expressed her gratitude for the countless people who have supported her in her journey and wore a T-shirt on the podium on Monday night featuring the names of all those who have played a part in her success.
Tatjana Smith shows off her shirt displaying the names of people who have played a role in her swimming career. They were her motivation for the gold medal hanging on her right shoulder. pic.twitter.com/RlmaEPCJV4
— David Isaacson (@David_Isaacson) July 29, 2024
“It's those people that impact me to make me a better person and to be able to stand behind the blocks with a massive smile and to know that they still back me and they still love me,” she explained.
“It’s not about the achievements, it's just really, you touch people with who you are and those people have touched me to become who I am today. That's what I swam for. And hopefully my story will inspire someone at home as well, even if it's just one person. That is why I'm here, so never disqualify yourself [because you’re] from South Africa… anyone can do it, you just really have to believe.”
“I swam for everyone that’s been there for me, that’s believed with me, for our country as well.” 🥺
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) July 29, 2024
🇿🇦 Tatjana Smith reflects on her Olympic Gold 👇#Paris2024 | #CloserToYourChampions pic.twitter.com/httAs7coTY
Smith added that the support from the nation makes all the difference, giving a hint that motivational speaking might be in her future after what she’s dubbed her last Olympics.
“That's just what I love about our country is we come together, we encourage, we support each other, and we know… what is it that Dricus [du Plessis] says? ‘Hulle weet nie wat ons weet nie. Nou weet hulle wat ons weet.’ And it really is that. They underestimate us and I think that just inspires someone else, so don't disqualify yourself from that race, you can also make it and South Africa roots for you.”
Smith is scheduled to compete in heat 1 of the 200m breaststroke at 11am on Wednesday morning, with teammate Kaylene Corbett lining up in the same heat.