Smith calls time as SA’s greatest Olympian
Following her silver medal in the 200m breaststroke on Thursday
evening, South Africa’s most decorated Olympian Tatjana Smith retired from professional
swimming at the Paris Olympic Games.
Smith backed up her 100m breaststroke gold medal with a silver in what was the reverse to her achievement in Tokyo just three years ago.
As the Olympic Record holder in both the 200m and 100m breaststroke, and former World Record holder in the 200m, Smith finishes her career as the country’s most decorated Olympian with two gold medals and two silver medals to her name.
The 27-year-old once again lit up the pool in Paris with two brilliant performances and was pipped at the wall by America Kate Douglass.Tatjana Smith retires
— Stephen (@SteviePSport) August 1, 2024
4️⃣ Olympic medals
2️⃣🥇
2️⃣🥈
4️⃣ Commonwealth medals
3️⃣ 🥇
1️⃣🥈
3️⃣ World Champions medals
1️⃣🥇
2️⃣🥈
1️⃣ World Record
An all time great in the swimming world.#ParisOlympics2024 #PARIS2024 #Olympics pic.twitter.com/V7c8Hg4i69
“I couldn’t have asked to end of my career in a better way, than in a very tough battle,” Smith said after the race.
“It’s great to see the younger swimmers coming through and I have never raced Kate in an Olympic final.”
After dominating the discipline for a long period of time, Smith says that her records won’t define her.
“In the end you are remembered for who you are and I hope that I am remembered for bringing people joy,” Smith said.
“Swimming is just a part of your life and there is so much more to life than just swimming.
“I am just excited now to live life,” she added.
Smith ends her career with four Olympic medals, which is the same number as another decorated Olympian Chad le Clos. Le Clos won four medals in his career with three silvers and one gold medal.
Smith also claimed four Commonwealth Games medals, three golds and a silver as well as finishing her career with three World Championship medals.
