Backing yourself and believing in your ability on the big stage is normally what separates the good from the truly great in sport.
On Monday evening, in the Paris Olympics pool, it’s exactly what Tatjana Smith did when she brought home Team South Africa’s first gold medal after a thrilling 100m breaststroke final.
After China’s Qianting Tang, who had produced the fastest 100m breaststroke time in the world this year going into the Olympics, flew off the blocks and looked like clinching victory, Tatjana Smith, didn’t panic calmly fought back to touch the wall first.
Tang, after leading for most of the race, seemed get out of her swimming shape towards the end, also reaching and wishing for the wall to come, which allowed the composed Smith to grab the gold, as she went one better than the silver she achieved in the 100m race at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
“In the final, if you have a lane, you have a chance. I think we were all fighting,” Smith said.
“In the heats and semis I tried to go for the times and then in the final I could just enjoy the race for what it is, taking in the experience and not have to stress about the time. “I didn’t want to focus on anyone. I knew the only way I could be the best version of myself was to focus on my own race.
“I’m just so grateful it was my hands that touched first.” Smith paid her school fees in Tokyo, where she went into the 100m as the hot favourite, but ultimately had to settle for silver. But now she has a chance to emulate the great Penny Heyns, who did the 100m and 200m breaststroke double at the Atlanta Games in 1996.
“There is always something to learn out of every race. After Tokyo, the biggest thing for me was just to focus on my own race. Even if I didn’t get a medal, I would have been happy with that. I gave it my best and I’m grateful that I’m walking away with the gold medal.
“But the work is not done, I still have the 200 to go!” Smith was visibly emotional during the national anthem, closing her eyes and almost biting her lip when the South African flag was raised for the first time in Paris.
Afterwards she graced us with the biggest smile, before thanking her support staff over the years as well as the country. The emotions were really ... it took a village to get me where I am today. I know they would have been proud, even if I didn’t get a medal, but it was really for them,” Smith said.
“It was for everyone that has been with me, who believed in me and for my country as well. Our hashtag is ‘for my country ...’ it really is, just to inspire someone at home and to know that they don’t have to disqualify themselves and potentially be an Olympic champion.”
Original article available on IOL
