Tatjana Smith at the podium after winning first place in the 100m breaststroke.
South African sporting legends have hailed swimming sensation Tatjana Smith’s miraculous performance in the La Défense Arena at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Smith produced an incredible comeback after trailing in fourth position at the halfway mark to surge down the home straight to claim the gold medal in the women’s 100m breaststroke.
It was Team SA’s first gold medal of the Paris Olympics, to go along with Alex Hathley’s bronze medal in the mountain bike cross-country and the Blitzboks’ bronze in the Rugby Sevens. Smith was one of the favourites heading into the race after winning the silver medal in the same discipline three years ago in Tokyo.
Proteas Men’s cricket team fast bowler Kagiso Rabada believes Smith is an inspiration to the entire country as she crosses all racial barriers through her achievements.
“Fantastic. Wow! She is making us proud. She is phenomenal. Two golds in a row,” Rabada said from the Caribbean where he is preparing for a Test series against the West Indies.
“Really inspiring. When I look at that as an athlete, it makes me want to achieve the same feat.
“South Africa is a very unique country and all these things provide hope. She’s out there representing the country.
“She is a white swimmer and I am a black man, but as an athlete who wants to aspire to be better, she has done a remarkable job.”
Springbok rugby coach Rassie Erasmus was also full of praise, and also highlighted the performance of the Blitzboks in Paris.
“I’m a Springbok coach, so watching the (rugby) boys almost not making the Olympics initially and winning a medal is something to be proud of,” Erasmus said.
“We are proud of every achievement ... It could be anything.
“Dricus du Plessis (UFC Champion) is fighting in Perth, and we are trying to get to that flight to Australia. If we could have been in France supporting our athletes winning gold and bronze medals it would be amazing, it’s just well done and congratulations.
“We know how proud they are when we do well, whether it’s the individual or team so well done.”
Smith will have the opportunity to join fellow swimmer Chad le Clos, who has four Olympic medals, as the most decorated South African Olympian athlete ever when she defends her 200m breaststroke crown later this week.
Cape Times
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