Tatjana Smith breaks silence on comeback: 'The time away gave me power'

South Africa's most decorated Olympian Tatjana Smith has officially announced her return to competitive swimming, emphasizing that the decision is hers to make. The 29-year-old double Olympic champion revealed that her time away from the sport provided her with both perspective and newfound power. Smith, who retired following the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, will make her comeback at the South African Short Course Championships in Pietermaritzburg from September 24 to 27, keeping the possibility of competing at the 2028 LA Summer Olympics open.

Initially, Smith believed that her retirement marked the end of her swimming journey, as she thought of it as a separate aspect of her life rather than an integral part of her identity. However, stepping away gave her the realisation that she could maintain a full life outside of swimming while still choosing to participate in the sport she loves. Her decision to return to competitive swimming comes amidst a dispute with Swimming South Africa (SSA), who recently agreed to pay her interest on delayed prize money.

Smith expressed that her return to the pool will involve a significant shift in her approach to competition. She will be training under coach Karin Hugo at the Lane Leader group in Stellenbosch, competing in a new event alongside her established 100m and 200m breaststroke disciplines. Smith described this as a new chapter, a fresh challenge, with a new training group, city, and coach.

Most importantly, she stressed the importance of finding a balance between being an athlete and having a fulfilling life outside of sport – something she now understands can be achieved.