Tatjana Smith wrapped up her illustrious career at the Olympic Games in Paris with a silver medal in the 200m breaststroke on Thursday night.
- This latest accolade adds to the gold she claimed in the 100m breaststroke on Monday, making her final Olympic appearance a triumphant one.
- As a double Olympian, Tatjana expressed gratitude for her 22-year swimming career, highlighting the competitive spirit and joy in celebrating new champions.
- Kaylene Corbett and Pieter Coetzé, despite not medalling, showed promise with Kaylene aiming for the 2028 LA Olympics and Pieter breaking a long-standing South African and African record in the 200m backstroke.
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Heading into the competition as the defending champion, having won the 200m gold in Tokyo three years ago, Tatjana faced fierce competition from Kate Douglass of the USA. Kate delivered an inspired performance, setting an Americas record time of 2:19.24, with Tatjana closely following in 2:19.60. The 27-year-old was elated with her silver medal and reflected on the significance of the race afterward.
It was incredible. That’s what sport is about – it’s that battle. Obviously, everybody wants to touch the wall first, but I’m just as happy to get the silver medal because I love that competitiveness. It’s amazing to now celebrate the new champion. She has so much more to come. She wasn’t in Tokyo, so I never got to race an Olympic final with her, so I think that was just exciting on its own, and to end off my career with a big fight was so worth it.
// South African Professional Swimmer, Tatjana Smith
Tatjana expressed gratitude for her achievements and the opportunity to leave the sport on such a high note, having earned two medals at these Games. She confirmed that she is now retiring from competitive swimming.
I’m officially done. It’s a relief, but I definitely know I’m probably, tomorrow, going to miss it already. It’s been a big part of my life, it’s 22 years that I’ve been swimming, and it’s been a big part of my family’s life and everything.
// South African Professional Swimmer, Tatjana Smith
In the same 200m breaststroke final, Kaylene Corbett finished in seventh place with a time of 2:24.46. Despite not making it to the podium, Kaylene is already looking ahead to the LA Olympics in 2028.
There’s a lot to improve on from that race. Sometimes sport just is sport, and you don’t get everything right in a race, so I’m definitely a little bit disappointed in that race, but at the same time, you can’t be disappointed because this is where God placed you tonight, and I know there’s a blessing waiting for me at the end. I definitely saw Tatjana battle it out with Kate, but you know that Tatjana doesn’t give up, and she’s always fighting.
// South African Professional Swimmer, Kaylene Corbett
Kaylene also spoke about the challenges she and Tatjana faced transitioning from Tokyo to Paris.
I think the two of us had some serious challenges coming off of Tokyo into 2024. We had different challenges, but I can definitely speak for myself in this regard that I’m a much stronger person in comparison to 2021 in Tokyo. I think that this time around I just feel very proud of myself in what I’ve achieved and being able to come to another Olympic Games. I mean, if I had to tell eight-year-old Kaylene that she’s a double Olympian and she made two finals and she’s top eight in the world, that’s incredible, so I’m very happy.
// South African Professional Swimmer, Kaylene Corbett
Also competing on Thursday night was Pieter Coetzé, who finished seventh in the 200m backstroke final. Although disappointed not to secure a medal, the 20-year-old found consolation in breaking the South African and African record held by George du Rand since the 2009 World Championships in Rome. Pieter clocked 1:55.60, shaving .25 of a second off the 15-year-old record, in a race won by Hungary’s Hubert Kos in 1:54.26.
I’m thankful for how it played out and to go PB is always good, so I can’t be comparing myself to the other guys too much, but a medal would have been nice. I’m very happy with that, and the fact that I’m faster than I’ve ever been is a great thing. So I’m just really thankful that I got this experience. I can’t be sad about not getting a medal because so many people like Ryan Murphy couldn’t even make the final, so this game is tough and it can go either way in any race you swim.
// South African Professional Swimmer, Pieter Coetzé
Earlier in the day, Matthew Sates finished sixth in his 200m individual medley heat with a time of 2:04.01, which did not qualify him for the evening semi-final as he placed 21st overall. Tatjana Smith’s retirement marks the end of an era for South African swimming, but her legacy of excellence and sportsmanship will undoubtedly inspire future generations.
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