NEW CHAPTER: ‘This time the decision is mine’ — Tatjana Smith returns to competitive swimming
South Africa’s most decorated Olympian, Tatjana Smith, has reversed her retirement and will make her competitive return at the South African Short Course Championships this weekend.
South Africa's most decorated Olympian, Tatjana Smith, has decided to return to competitive swimming after a brief retirement. The 29-year-old, who won Olympic gold and silver medals in the 100m and 200m breaststroke at the 2024 Paris Olympics, announced her decision to make her comeback at the South African Short Course Championships in Pietermaritzburg from September 24 to 27.
Smith, who previously held the world record in the 200m breaststroke, is now redirecting her focus to the newly added 50m breaststroke event. She is training with a new group and under a new coach, Karin Hugo, at Lane Leader in Stellenbosch. Smith's return to competitive swimming comes at a crucial time for South African sports, as discussions surrounding athlete welfare and accountability in the sporting landscape continue.
Despite recent challenges within Swimming South Africa, Smith is enthusiastic about her return, believing that athletes should feel supported, respected, and safe in their pursuit of sporting excellence.
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