South African Tatjana Smith made a late surge to win gold in the women’s 100m breaststroke at the Paris Olympics on Monday.
Smith, who won the silver medal in the event at the Tokyo 2020 Games, overtook China’s Tang Qianting in the final 10 meters to touch the wall in one minute 5.28 seconds at La Defense Arena.
Tang took the silver medal in 1:05.54 and Mona McSharry from Ireland got bronze in 1:05.59.
McSharry marked Ireland’s first medal at these Games and the country’s first in swimming since the Atlanta 1996 Olympics.
Smith was expressed happiness at having added the 100m breaststroke crown to the 200m title she won at Tokyo 2020 under her maiden name of Schoenmaker.
“I am going to keep my phone off,” the 27-year-old said. “I don’t know, I think everyone is so proud. Obviously I think they would have been proud even if I did not win a medal. That’s what I am really grateful for, really just the people in my life, they have been so supportive. It’s the small things that make us and drive us as athletes.”
When asked if she felt pressure going into the race, Smith said she never focused on that, saying she just got out there and swam my best.
“I know that every time I dive in, I am trying as hard as possible so that’s what I do every single race. If it happens to be like that then I am very grateful, it’s a massive blessing.”
