By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
With a few days to go to Paris 2024 Olympics, there are few South Africans who have a lot to prove.
Different surname, but it’s same swimmer that was South Africa’s star of Tokyo 2020
Tatjana Schoenmaker-Smith was certainly the name on all South African lips three years ago as the shining light in a meagre national medal haul. Not only did she come home with a silver and gold medal, but she also set a new world record with her performance in the 200m breaststroke.
That record has since been broken by Evgeniia Chikunova with the Russian swimmer who amazingly shaved almost a second and a half off the record time.
While Smith might enter these games hungry to be top of the breaststroke world again, more media focus on other swimmers and a little less on her could suit her well going into Paris.
Her achievements and infectious smile that we saw in Tokyo took her image to a new level and she has spoken about being affected by the personal adjustments that had to be made by becoming more of a celebrity.
She’s made it clear that she doesn’t only want to be defined by her name and her swimming. That’s why she’s embraced taking on a new surname from her marriage.
Her times had dipped considerably since her Tokyo triumphs, but her finishes have not veered from the top two in international races. She recently had a solid showing in the national championships in April that included a personal best in the 50m breaststroke.
While there’s been plenty of change in her life as well as women’s breaststroke in the last few years, it’s clear that the 27-year-old is relishing the opportunity to compete in an Olympic pool again.