Tatjana Smith returned to the Olympic podium one more time in Paris, this time to collect a silver medal in the Women’s 200m Breaststroke final before graciously announcing her retirement from competitive swimming, at the Paris La Defense Arena in France on Thursday, 1 August, 2024.
The 27-year-old added 200m breaststroke silver to her 100m breaststroke gold to become South Africa’s most decorated Olympian. Smith’s closest South African competitor, men’s swimmer Chad le Clos, has also claimed four Olympic medals – but only one of them was gold, the other three silver.
American Kate Douglass claimed the 200m breaststroke gold on Thursday in a time of 2:19.24 with Smith second in 2:19.60 and fellow South African Kaylene Corbett seventh in 2:24.46.
Smith admitted afterwards that had someone told her before the Games she would secure gold in the 100m event rather than the 200m, she wouldn’t have believed them.
“Obviously my training has been for the 200, the 100 I’m just very blessed to walk away with medals, I never expected it. But I am very grateful for the 100. Having the gold, it really took off the pressure off me.”
South Africa’s Most Decorated Olympian, Tatjana Smith
“I think I had a lot of expectation from what I did in Tokyo, so it really made me actually just enjoy the 200 and go out there and have nothing to lose,
“Obviously to defend my title would have been amazing, but I couldn’t have lost in a better way, because it was so fun to race, and I love how that brings out the best in you. I swam a better time than I did in the semi, so I couldn’t have swum better, I gave my all.”
Smith confirmed that Thursday night’s race was her last, saying she is looking forward to living a “normal” life.
“I’m officially done,” she said. “It’s a relief, but I definitely know I’m probably, tomorrow, going to miss it already. It’s been a big part of my life, it’s 22 years that I’ve been swimming and it’s been a big part of my family’s life and everything.”
Corbett, meanwhile, said she is targeting a third Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028.
“I think that this time around I just feel very proud of myself in what I’ve achieved and being able to come to another Olympic Games. I mean, if I had to tell eight-year-old Kaylene that she’s a double Olympian and she made two finals and she’s top eight in the world, that’s incredible, so I’m very happy.”
Paris 2024 200m Breaststroke Finalist, Kaylene Corbett
Meanwhile, BMX rider Miyanda Maseti finished eighth in her heat on Thursday and 24th overall which meant she didn’t progress to the semifinals. Over in Tahiti, Sarah Baum bowed out of the surfing competition after being beaten by defending Olympic champion Carissa Moore of the USA.
Baum was nevertheless positive about her Games experience. “It’s been a crazy rollercoaster ride. It’s always been my dream to be an Olympian, and I can’t believe I finally got there,” she said.
“It’s been such an amazing experience and I just wanted to take in every moment. I’m super proud of myself on how far I came, and so proud to represent my country.”
Meanwhile, the SA women’s hockey team put up a gallant fight against Spain in a tightly contested encounter, but ultimately could not prevent a 1-0 loss which ruled them out of quarterfinal contention with one more pool match against the USA still to play.
“Mixed emotions, mixed feelings,” said veteran Dirkie Chamberlain afterwards. “I think that was one hell of a game, one hell of a display from us, maybe one of our best this week, and what a pity not to come out with a result.
“We give so much effort, we work so hard and in the end, it’s just not enough, but definitely so proud. I mean, the effort we put in, the hard work, the game we played today and how we brought it to Spain, I think we can be so proud of our performance.”
Onthatile Zulu added: “We’re very disappointed. We really wanted to fight for our country today and we knew that in coming into this game it was do or die.”
“I think the girls played really well. I think today we moved the ball really well, and to be honest I think we were better out there on the field, we just couldn’t get the ball in the back of the net.
“It takes goals to win games and unfortunately we fell short again. I think throughout this whole tournament we’ve come close, it’s just a bit disappointing that every time we go out there and play to the best of our ability we’re just missing it slightly.”
Team South Africa’s Women’s Contingent and Paris 2024 Broadcast Updates
Paris 2024 Olympic Games Results on Saturday, 27 July, 2024
Paris 2024 Olympic Games Results on Sunday, 28 July, 2024
Paris 2024 Olympic Games Results on Monday, 29 July, 2024
Paris 2024 Olympic Games Results on Tuesday, 30 July, 2024
Paris 2024 Olympic Games Results on Wednesday, 31 July, 2024
Paris 2024 Olympic Games Results on Thursday, 1 August, 2024
Hockey
Spain 1-0 South Africa
Cycling
BMX Heat 2 – Miyanda Maseti finished seventh in her heat
Swimming
200m Breaststroke Final – Tatjana Smith wins silver behind USA’s Kate Douglass, Kaylene Corbett finished in 7th place
Surfing
Sarah Baum bowed out of the surfing competition after being beaten by defending Olympic champion Carissa Moore of the USA
Cycling
BMX Last Chance Race – Miyanda Maseti finished eighth and 24th overall, and didn’t progress to the semifinals
Schedule of Events at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on Friday, 2 August, 2024
Swimming
11:17: 200m Individual Medley Heats – Rebecca Meder
Athletics
19:45: 800m Round One – Prudence Sekgodiso
Swimming
21:22: 200m Individual Medley Semi-Final – Rebecca Meder (TBC)
Original Copy: Karien Jonckheere, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: Tatjana Smith became the most decorated South African Olympian when she won silver in the women’s 200m Breaststroke final, at the Paris La Defense Arena in France on Thursday, 1 August, 2024 Photo: Anton Geyser / Team SA
Photo 2 Caption: Smiling in the mix zone after her 200m Breaststroke silver medal, Tatjana Smith said the race was fun! Photo: Karien Jonckheere
Photo 3 Caption: BMX rider Miyanda Maseti finished eighth in her heat on Thursday, and 24th overall, and didn’t progress to the semifinals. Photo: Miyanda Maseti on Instagram
Photo 4 Caption: Sarah Baum bowed out of the surfing competition after being beaten by defending Olympic champion Carissa Moore. Photo: Sarah Baum on Instagram
