Tatjana Smith becomes the first African athlete to win a gold medal

IKEJA, Nigeria - Aug. 1, 2024 - PRLog -- Tatjana Smith is a South African professional swimmer specializing in breaststroke events. She is the former world record holder in the long course 200-metre breaststroke and is the African record holder in the long course and short course 100-metre breaststroke as well as the short course 200-metre breaststroke.

Africa's only other medal so far has come from Egyptian fencer Mohamed El Sayed, who secured the bronze in the men's epee individual event. Swimmer Tatjana Smith has claimed Africa's first gold medal at the Paris Olympic Games after a thrilling late surge in the women's 100-meters breaststroke final took her to victory in a time of 1:05.28. Smith, who won a silver medal in the event three years ago in Tokyo when she swam under the surname Schoenmaker, looked to be out of contention going into the final 20 meters, but edged China's Tang Qianting (1:05.54) and Mona McSharry (1:05.59) from Ireland to the line.

An emotional smith admitted it had been a difficult time since Tokyo, where she also won the gold medal in the 200-meters breaststroke, as she battled with her new-found fame and had considered giving up the sport. Smith will be looking to defend her title in the 200-meters breaststroke that gets underway on Wednesday and concludes on Thursday night.

Paris is becoming a special city for Smith and her family. Her change in surname came about when she married Joel Smith, the brother-in-law of Springbok captain Siya Kolisi. The latter lifted the Rugby World Cup in Paris last year and now lives in the city, where he plays his club rugby for Racing 92. The medal is South Africa's third at the Games after the Rugby Sevens team won the bronze and Alan Hatherly did likewise in the men's cross-country mountain bike race.

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