South Africa’s Golden Girl, Tatjana Smith (formerly Schoenmaker), has made her way to Paris for the 2024 Olympics. Tatjana will be representing SA in the 100m and 200m Breaststroke events.
Athlete swimmer Tatjana Smith will be representing South Africa at the Olympic Games for a second time in four years.
South Africa’s Golden Girl brought home Silver for the 100m and Gold in the 200m Breaststroke from Tokyo’s 2020 Olympics. Smith became the first South African woman to win Olympic Gold for swimming since 1996.
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Now, she is geared up represent South Africa in the 100m and 200m Breaststroke events at this year’s Olympic Games in Paris, which kick off on Friday 26 July.
Smith will be joined by seven of South Africa’s elite athlete swimmers –Aimee Canny, Kaylene Corbett, Erin Gallagher, Rebecca Meder, Pieter Coetze, Chad Le Clos and Matt Sates.
Tatjana, who recently celebrated her 27th birthday, took to social media to share snippets of life as she prepares for Paris.
The last of Smith’s preparations, before leaving home grounds, was a go-to South African meal – a braai – and a message for her supporters: “On my way to Paris,” wrote Smith, “Baie dankie to all my sponsors,” she added, along with a clip of the Golden Girl ‘swimming’ her way to the 2024 Olympics.
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It’s been a year of milestones for the Olympic golden medalist, who tied the knot to her husband, Joel Smith (brother to Springbok ‘First Lady’ Rachel Kolisi), in November 2023.
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The nation proudly stands behind its Golden Girl, as she heads to Paris to chase her dreams. Swimming South Africa, governing body of aquatics in SA, took to social media to wish Smith the best ahead of the 2024 Olympic games.
“We’re sending Tatjana all our love, support, and best wishes as she takes on this incredible challenge! The entire nation is proudly behind you every stroke of the way,” read the post.
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Feature Image: Instagram / @tatjanaschoen
