South Africa's Tatjana Smith 'blessed' after more Olympic glory

South Africa's Tatjana Smith 'blessed' after more Olympic glory

South African Tatjana Smith claimed the Olympic 100m breaststroke title on Monday with a late surge to win a thrilling battle and with it a second career gold.

Tatjana Smith wins gold at Paris Olympics 2024
FRANCOIS-XAVIER MARIT / AFP

The 200m breaststroke winner in Tokyo triumphed in Paris with a time of 1:05.28, ahead of China's Tang Qianting, with Ireland's Mona McSharry taking bronze.


The 27-year-old from Johannesburg won silver in the event in Tokyo three years ago but found a late kick to power past Tang and touch home first.


"I just go out there and do my best and I know that every time I dive in, I'm trying as hard as possible. So that's what I do every single race," she said.


"If it happens to be like this then I'm very grateful. It's a massive blessing."


Smith said that having already tasted Olympic gold she knows what her victory will bring.


"When people said after Tokyo life will change, I was like, that's ridiculous.... and it was really just when I came home, just the amount of support," she added.


The 20-year-old Tang, world champion at 100m in Doha this year, set the fourth fastest ever time with 1:04.39 at the Chinese national championships in April.


McSharry's bronze was Ireland's first medal at Paris and their first in swimming since Michelle Smith's wins in Atlanta in 1996.


"Unbelievable. I started crying on the podium and I have not fully stopped crying yet," the 23-year-old said.


McSharry said she had been close to quitting the sport in the past.


"Those moments when I thought I was done really put into perspective what I really do this for," the said.


"There are so many other things that come as a part of this, like training and watching my friends compete, and being able to see myself progress and get better.


"And then you have a bonus like this when you get to stand up on the podium and watch your flag being raised at the Olympic Games."


It was a disappointing result for American Lilly King, who came fourth.


The 27-year-old, the 2016 gold medallist, set the current world record of 1:04.13 at the 2017 world championships.


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