The defending champion, Tatjana Smith, is on track for a third Olympic gold medal when she swims in the final of the women’s 200 m breaststroke in Paris.

On Wednesday night, Smith was beaten in the semifinals by Kate Douglass of the USA who touched the wall in 2:19.74 in a lightning-fast race. Smith was just 0.2 seconds off the pace in second. The South African (27) swam a time of 2:19.94. Lily King of the USA was third in the semifinal with 2:23.25.

‘It was good to have stiff competition going into the final’

In the first semifinal, Kaylene Corbett, finished second in 2:22.87 to clock the fourth-fastest time going into the final. She was beaten to the wall by the world champion, Tes Schouten of the Netherlands, who won in 2:22.74. Shiwen Ye of China was third in 2:23.13.

Earlier in the day, Smith and Corbett took first and second in the final heat to advance to the semifinals. Smith said it was good to have stiff competition going into the final and she is happy with her time.

“It wasn’t so comfortable, but I really had fun and we challenged each other,” said Smith. “I knew it was going to be a good race and I just had to have confidence in myself and just race my own race. At the end of the day, I have to walk away from the pool being happy and not having any regrets.

“I enjoyed every single moment. This is the part of swimming that I love – the competitiveness and challenging each other. She brought out the best in me today and I was very happy with that time.”

This final will take place at 21:11 on Thursday night.

‘He’ll just trust his body as he targets a first-ever Olympic medal’

Meanwhile, Pieter Coetzé is into the men’s 200 m backstroke final with the third fastest time in the semifinal of 1:56.09. Coetzé swam in the second semifinal and was beaten by a mere 0.04 seconds by Roman Mityukov of Switzerland. Apostolos Christou of Greece was 0.28 seconds slower to finish third in 1:56.33.

There are two semifinals. The eight fastest swimmers advance to the final. Coetzé was second in his semifinal and third overall. The first semifinal delivered the fastest time with Hubert Kos of Hungary winning in 1:55.96 to take the fastest time into the final. 

The 2022 Commonwealth Games 100m backstroke gold medallist, Coetzé, said he is just going to trust his body as he targets a first-ever Olympic medal.

“I’m just going to swim my race and trust my body to do what it knows how to do, and hopefully all goes well,” said Coetzé. “I’m already just blessed to be here and to have this experience, so if I had to walk out today I would be happy. 

“I’m just glad I get to swim in another Olympic final, which I think the younger me wouldn’t even believe it if I told him that.”

He will be in action at 20:38 on Thursday (1/8).

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cg/mvh