Gold medallist South Africa's Tatjana Smith (nee Schoenmaker) poses with her gold medal after the final of the women's 200m breaststroke swimming event during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre in Tokyo on July 30, 2021. (Photo by Attila KISBENEDEK / AFP)
Following the news that South Africa's most successful Olympian Tatjana Smith has retired from professional swimming, people of Mzansi have flooded social media with heartfelt tributes to champion swimmer.
The 27-year-old confirmed her retirement from the sport moments after claiming a silver medal in women’s 200m breaststroke race on Thursday, saying she hoped to be remembered as someone who brought joy to people of South Africa. This week, she also bagged gold in the 100m women’s breaststroke final.
Smith retires from swimming having won a combined total of four medals at the Olympic Games, two gold medals and two silver medals.
[WATCH] Tatjana Smith calls time on her career, announcing her retirement after she created history by becoming SA’s greatest-achieving Olympian, at the #PARIS2024 #Olympics .
— Ntsako Mkhari (@Ntsako_Mkhari_) August 2, 2024
Smith won her 4th Olympic medal after finishing 2nd in the women’s 200m breaststroke last night. pic.twitter.com/eic8an3Vgc
SABC Sport presenter Vusiwe Ngcobo thanked the gold-winning Olympian for serving the nation with distinction.
“Tatjana Smith announces her retirement from swimming soon after creating history by becoming South Africa’s greatest-achieving Olympian, at the 2024 Paris Games Thank you for having served the nation beautifully @TRSchoenmaker God bless you!” she posted on X.
Tatjana Smith announces her retirement from swimming soon after creating history by becoming South Africa’s greatest-achieving Olympian, at the 2024 Paris Games.
— vusiwe ngcobo (@VusiweNgcobo) August 1, 2024
Thank you for having served the nation beautifully @TRSchoenmaker God bless you! pic.twitter.com/8JniJ2Xf67
Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie hailed Smith as a shining example of humility, adding that she was now the greatest Olympian in the history of South Africa.
“Being able to stay gracious in victory and defeat is what the world will remember most about you, and it is a quality that defines most South Africans.
“You are a shining example of humility with a killer competitive spirit and undying will to win. May all our young people look up to your example and try to equal or surpass you in future”.
Tatjana Smith is the greatest Olympian this country ever had. We have already beaten our Tokyo medal count and expecting lots more 👊![CDATA[]]>🏾![CDATA[]]>👊![CDATA[]]>🏾![CDATA[]]>👊![CDATA[]]>🏾![CDATA[]]>👊![CDATA[]]>🏾![CDATA[]]>👊![CDATA[]]>🏾![CDATA[]]>👊![CDATA[]]>🏾![CDATA[]]>👊![CDATA[]]>🏾![CDATA[]]>👊![CDATA[]]>🏾 pic.twitter.com/pZ8DMU3pgR
— Gayton McKenzie (@GaytonMcK) August 1, 2024
Former South African swimming Olympian and Olympic gold medalist Ryk Neethling, said Smith will be deeply missed in the world of swimming.
“Word from Paris is Tatjana has announced her retirement from swimming after becoming SA’s most decorated Olympian with 4 medals.
“An incredible career. Let’s make sure we celebrate her. We will miss her in the pool🇿” he said
Word from Paris is Tatjana has announced her retirement from swimming after becoming SA’s most decorated Olympian with 4 medals. An incredible career. Let’s make sure we celebrate her. We will miss her in the pool🇿![CDATA[]]>🇦
— Ryk Neethling (@RykNeethling) August 1, 2024
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