Tatjana Smith etched her name in history as she secured Africa's first gold medal of the Paris 2024 Games, triumphing in the women's 100m breaststroke. The 27-year-old, formerly known as Tatjana Schoenmaker, stormed to victory in a time of 1 minute and 5.28 seconds, a performance that marked her third Olympic medal.
Having qualified fastest for the final at La Défense Arena, Smith powered through the second length, leaving her rivals trailing in her wake.
"It took a village to get me where I am today," she said, acknowledging the support that had fuelled her journey. "I swam for everyone that has been there for me, that has believed with me, and for my country as well."
Smith had previously tasted Olympic success in Tokyo three years ago, winning silver in the 100m breaststroke and gold in the 200m breaststroke. This time, however, her focus was unwavering.
"There is always something to learn out of every race, and for me with Tokyo the only thing I wanted to change was to really just focus on my own race," she explained. "I gave it my best and I am so grateful that I am walking away with the gold medal."
Smith, hailing from Johannesburg, will be back in the pool on Wednesday, defending her 200m breaststroke title.
Despite the golden triumph, there was a tinge of disappointment for fellow South African swimmer Peter Coetze. Despite setting a new African record of 52.58 seconds in the men's 100m backstroke final, he finished fifth.
Meanwhile, South Africa's Alan Hatherly brought home a bronze medal in the men's mountain bike cross-country race. The 28-year-old, who finished eighth in Tokyo, crossed the line just 11 seconds behind gold medallist Tom Pidcock of Great Britain and two seconds behind Victor Koretzky of France, who secured silver.
South Africa leads the African medal table on Day 3 of the Games with a haul of one gold and two bronzes. Tunisia have a silver medal to their name, courtesy of Fares Ferjani in the men's individual sabre, while Egypt's Mohamed Elsayed claimed bronze in the men's individual epee on Sunday.