Tatjana: It took a village to get me to where I am today

Zaahier Adams

Springbok Rugby World Cup-winning captain Siya Kolisi may be revered around the world, but he is no longer even the most famous person on his family WhatsApp group.

That honour now belongs to his sister-in-law and South African swimming golden girl Tatjana Smith.

Kolisi’s mantra is that the Springboks play for a cause greater than themselves and he is firm in the belief that the Rainbow Nation inspires the Boks to greater heights. Smith also acknowledged Mzansi after she raced to South Africa’s first gold medal of the Paris Olympics in an epic 100m breaststroke final on Monday evening.

“I don’t think anyone can explain it. It took a village to get me to where I am today,” Smith said. “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.

“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.”

Smith eclipsed her silver medal performance from Tokyo three years ago in Paris with a time of 1:05.28, but claims that even if she did not make the podium she would have been satisfied.

“There is always something to learn out of every race. I wanted to focus on my own race and really just did that,” Smith said.

“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.”

The 27-year-old, though, delivered a race of pure, thrilling instinct, utilising every ounce of energy and skill over the final 50m as she looked to haul in China’s Qianting Tang, who has swum the fastest 100m breaststroke time in the world this year, Ireland’s Mona McSharry and Italy’s Benedetto Pilato.

And after experiencing her first Olympics in Tokyo without any fans, it was as if the passionate crowd inside the Paris La Defense Arena, which included her husband Joel, was swimming with her to the end.

“I had no idea where I was literally most of the race,” admitted Smith afterwards.

“I actually didn’t think I medalled because when I turned to my left, the two blocks next to me both had lights on and it felt like someone else on the other side touched first.

“So I actually didn’t think I was medalling. I didn’t focus on anyone else. I knew that to do well I had to be the best version of myself and focus on my own race. I’m grateful that my hands touched the wall first.

“My main goal was just to not do what I did in Tokyo and look around, so literally the last 15m I was like ‘no, close your eyes, let’s just go!’”

Smith’s personal Olympic tally has now grown to three, with two golds and a silver, and a further medal will see her match fellow swimmer Chad le Clos on four ‒ the most achieved by a South African Olympian.

She will also have the opportunity of joining another South African legend, Penny Heyns, as the only swimmers in the world to win both the 100m and 200m breaststroke ‒ like Heyns did in Atlanta in 1996 ‒ when she defends her Olympic 200m title later this week.