By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Olympic champion Tatjana Smith looks well set for the double after topping the time charts in the 200m heats at the La Defense Arena pool.
Smith and Kaylene Corbett finished first and second in their heat — in times of 2:21.57 and 2:23.85 — to qualify for Wednesday night’s semifinals. Smith tops the time sheets by 1.51sec, with Corbett sixth.
In the men’s 200m backstroke Pieter Coetze won his heat in 1:56.92 and placed second overall heading into the semis.
Smith won the 200 gold and the 100 silver in Tokyo, and set Olympic records in both events which shot her to superstardom, putting added pressure and expectations on her shoulders.
“I feel like I’m in a much better space than I was in Tokyo in terms of enjoying swimming for what it is. It’s not my identity and it’s not who I am, it’s just what I do. There’s life after swimming as well.
“I’m not going to beat myself up because of this. I’m trying to enjoy it as much as I can. I probably won’t be swimming any longer. I have two more races to go and then I’m done.”
Another medal will see her join Chad le Clos as the only South African to claim four Olympic medals, but she is the more decorated athlete with two golds already.
Triathlon: Women’s Individual – Vicky van der Merwe finished 46th.
Rowing: Women’s singles scull, semi-finals C/D – Paige Badenhorst finished first, advances to C final (not a medal race).
Hockey: Women’s – SA 1-2 Great Britain.
The result left Team SA at the bottom of Pool B, having played three, lost three, while both Australia and Argentina have 100 percent winning records.
Rowing: Men’s pair, semi-final A/B – John Smith and Christoher Baxter finished fourth, advances to B final (not a medal race).
Triathlon: Men’s Individual – Henri Schoeman finished 20th and Jamie Riddle 25th.
“Conditons were tough, but my lifesaving background came in handy when it came to going round the buoys. I made up good time around the buoys. I tried to make it as hard as I could. On the bike it was about conserving energy and on the run I thought I could go for a medal, but I found myself lacking that speed, said Schoeman.”
Riddle was quick to point out the current in the 22deg water.
“I’m from Jeffrey’s Bay and grew up swimming in big waves and strong currents, so was prepared, but still, its strength surprised me. It was so hot throughout the event (29 deg C) and when I got out the water my legs were cramping going up the stairs so I knew then it would be a long day,
“Ultimately becoming an Olympian has been a 12-year dream and my one goal was to enjoy it. I did just that and can’t wait for Los Angeles when I’ll be in my prime at 28.”