'What a finish!' - South Africans celebrate Tatjana Smith's gold medal
Updated | By East Coast Breakfast
"I swam for everyone that’s been there for me, that’s believed with me" - Tatjana came from behind to win gold at the Olympics - and South Africans couldn't be prouder!
South Africans are beaming with pride after Tatjana Smith (née Schoenmaker) won the country's first gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Tatjana made an incredible comeback in the last quarter of the 100-metre breaststroke final to snatch gold from China's Tang Qianting.
She finished in 1:05.28. Tatjana now has back-to-back Olympic wins, having also had an impressive showing at the Tokyo Games in 2021.
The 27-year-old, swimming under her maiden surname at the time, won gold in the 200-metre breaststroke and silver in the 100m breaststroke.
Tatjana revealed ahead of her big race on Monday that changing her name helped relieve some of the pressure. She married sports manager Joel Smith in 2023. Joel is the brother of Rachel Kolisi, and previously worked for Siya Kolisi's foundation.
"It’s learning how to deal with that (pressure). So it’s really been through the years how I’ve learned that, and I think with my new surname, the pressure is off. There’s no more Schoenmaker. Everything came with Schoenmaker, so it really just feels like I can swim freely. I don’t have the pressure of Schoenmaker on me. I’m new and a different person," Swimming World magazine quoted Tatjana.
Joel is currently in Paris supporting his wife. A few weeks before flying to the Olympics, he gave her a sweet shout-out.
"Can’t wait to get to Paris to support Mrs Smith at the Olympics. No matter the result, the effort and discipline that she has put into this has been a privilege to witness. I have never eaten so much brown rice, chicken and broccoli in my life. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought that I would be watching my wife at the Olympics," he wrote on Instagram in June.
ALSO READ: Schoenmaker wins women's 200m breaststroke world title
🇿🇦🥇WHAT IT MEANS TO WIN GOLD @Olympics 🇿🇦🥇 #TeamSA #ForMyCountry #Olympics pic.twitter.com/1XP6QJwWli
— Team South Africa (@OfficialTeamRSA) July 29, 2024
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An emotional Tatjana told reporters after her win that she was racing for South Africa and everyone who played a part in her swimming career.
"It took a village to get me where I am today and I know that they would've been proud even if I didn't have a medal. But it was really for them. I swam for everyone that’s been there for me, that’s believed wit me, and for our country as well," she said.
“I swam for everyone that’s been there for me, that’s believed with me, for our country as well.” 🥺
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) July 29, 2024
🇿🇦 Tatjana Smith reflects on her Olympic Gold 👇#Paris2024 | #CloserToYourChampions pic.twitter.com/httAs7coTY
President Cyril Ramaphosa joined scores of South Africans in celebrating Tatjana's win, which brings the country's current medal tally to three.
"Congratulations to our repeat Olympic champion, Tatjana Smith, for earning South Africa’s first #gold medal at #Paris2024 with her stunning surge in the 100m breaststroke in the Paris La Defense Arena pool," he said.
Congratulations to our repeat Olympic champion, Tatjana Smith, for earning South Africa’s first #gold medal at #Paris2024 with her stunning surge in the 100m breaststroke in the Paris La Defense Arena pool.
— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) July 29, 2024
Congratulations too to mountain biker Alan Hatherly for collecting… pic.twitter.com/Fa2WUhdvli
'Tatjana Smith' started trending at #1 on X (Twitter) shortly after her victory. South Africans flooded X's timeline with messages of congratulations for our Olympic champ.
"No DNA, just RSA.🥇 The amount of pride hearing our national anthem and our flag flying higher than the others during Tatjana Smith's Olympic victory ceremony, is unmatched.🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦," one X user wrote.
Another user added: "You can see from her eyes that she's proudly South African. I am so emotional. Thank you, Tatjana Smith, for making us all proud."
Here's a look at what others had to say:
Tatjana Smith came out of nowhere and won the Women's 100m Breaststroke.
— Andile Human (@AndileHuman) July 29, 2024
This is South Africa's first gold medal at the #Paris2024 Olympics. What a Swim! 🏊🏼♀️🥇🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/711g2LG76C
No DNA, just RSA.🥇 The amount of pride hearing our national anthem and our flag flying higher than the others during Tatjana Smith's Olympic victory ceremony, is unmatched.🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/LOBjj2Ion7
— Mbaliyezwe Ndlela🇿🇦 (@mbali_ndlela) July 29, 2024
WINNER 🥇 Gold for Team SA 🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦 Tatjana Smith pulls off a miracle, she was 3rd at 75m to win 100m Breaststroke 💯pic.twitter.com/b9L7vaoi6H
— 𝗢𝗳𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀𝗲 𝗠𝘄𝗮𝘀𝗲 🔥🚀 (@unclescrooch) July 29, 2024
Tatjana Smith shows off her shirt displaying the names of people who have played a role in her swimming career. They were her motivation for the gold medal hanging on her right shoulder. pic.twitter.com/RlmaEPCJV4
— David Isaacson (@David_Isaacson) July 29, 2024
Still can’t believe this finish.. Tatjana Smith 🥵🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/WQ42IAVoeI
— SITHALE✍🏿 (@SithaleKgaogelo) July 29, 2024
What a win by Tatjana Smith!!!🥇🏊🏻♀️🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦 #Olympic2024 pic.twitter.com/WzZ6vagkMJ
— Maps Maponyane (@MapsMaponyane) July 29, 2024
You can see from her eyes that she's proudly South African.
— P_MAX (@DDT_PM) July 29, 2024
I am so emotional 😭
Thank you, Tatjana Smith, for making us all proud 🇿🇦🥇 pic.twitter.com/MRiWc7MFbS
Congratulations to Tatjana Smith who wins South Africa’s first gold medal at #Paris2024 in the Women’s 100m Breaststroke!#TeamSA #Olympics #ForMyCountry" 🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦. Photo @OfficialTeamRSA pic.twitter.com/7XQtxNLi5V
— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) July 29, 2024
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Main image credit: Instagram/@tatjanaschoen
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