Olympic champion Tatjana Smith returns to competition in South Africa — Daily Maverick
Two-time Olympic swimming champion Tatjana Smith is returning to competitive swimming in South Africa. Her first start after the break is set to be the South African Short Course Championships, to be held on September 24–27 in Pietermaritzburg.
The 29-year-old athlete announced her return on September 21. As Daily Maverick reports, Smith plans to compete in the 50-, 100- and 200-metre breaststroke events, as well as in several relays.
Return after a break
Smith announced her retirement after the 2024 Olympics in Paris, where she won gold in the 100-metre breaststroke and silver in the 200-metre breaststroke. According to her, the break helped her rethink her relationship with swimming and understand that she can have a full life outside the pool while also choosing sport.
The swimmer noted that she is returning because she wants to. She also said that time away from competition gave her perspective and a sense of strength for a new stage.
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A new distance and coach
The main focus for Smith will be the 50-metre breaststroke, an event that was recently added to the Olympic programme. The 200-metre breaststroke will remain among the possible events in which she may compete, but will no longer be her main focus. The athlete called the 50-metre event a new challenge that both frightens and excites her.
Smith has also changed cities, training groups and coaches. After moving to Cape Town with her husband and manager, Joel Smith, she trains in Stellenbosch under Karin Hugo. Previously, her career was guided for more than 17 years by coach Rocco Meiring at the University of Pretoria.
Smith is South Africa's most decorated Olympic athlete: at the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Games, she won four individual medals — two gold and two silver. She was also the world record holder in the 200-metre breaststroke and won gold at the 2023 World Championships in that event.
