South Africa’s golden girl of swimming Tatjana Smith has drawn the curtain on her illustrious career on a high note by winning another medal at the Olympic Games in Paris.

On Thursday night Smith won the silver medal in the women’s 200 m breaststroke. She was dethroned as the champion by the young and exciting Kate Douglas of the USA. Douglas set a new American record in 2:19.24 as she won gold by beating Smith by a mere 0.36 seconds in a thrilling final.

Tatjana Smith with her 100 m breaststroke gold medal. Photo: X

Smith touched the wall in a time of 2:19.60 to add the silver medal to the gold she won in the 100 m breaststroke earlier in the week. The reigning world champion, Tes Schouten, of the Netherlands, claimed the bronze medal some way off the pace in 2:21.05.

Following her race, Smith said Douglas was a worthy new Olympic champion and she took the opportunity to announce that she had swum her last race. “I’m looking forward to my life outside of swimming,” said the four-time Olympic medallist.

‘I’ve always loved competing’

“It was an amazing battle and I’ve never raced against Kate in an Olympic final before. I couldn’t have asked for a better way to end my career in a very tough battle. I’ve always loved competing.”

“Achievements fall away – you are remembered for who you are and I want to be remembered for bringing people joy. Swimming is a part of a season in your life and now I’m excited to live life.”

Smith retires having won the 200 m gold and 100 m silver in Tokyo and the 200 m silver and 100 m gold in Paris. In addition, at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia, she won the gold double in the 100 m and 200 m breaststroke. 

At the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England, she won the 100 m silver and 200 m gold. She will certainly go down as one of South Africa’s most successful Olympians.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek dg/mvh