AFRICA’S first gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics came from the swimming pool where South Africa’s Tatjana Smith came first in the 100m breaststroke, ahead of strong competition.
The gold was Smith’s second in successive Olympic Games. She brought home gold in the same event at the Tokyo Olympics. She delivered a superb come-from-behind victory, turning fourth before a powerful push over the final 50m to win in 1min 05.28sec, beating China’s Qianting Tang (1:05.54) and Mona McSharry of Ireland (1:05.59).
A jubilant Smith dedicated her gold to her supporters. “I swam for everyone that’s been there for me, that’s believed with me, for our country as well,” she said.
Her gold medal was South Africa and Africa’s third at the games. South Africa’s Sevens rugby team, the BlitzBokke, won the bronze medal after defeating Australia and mountain-biker Alan Hatherly also won a bronze in the cross-country event on Monday afternoon.
Hatherly finished behind British Tom Pidcock and Frenchman Victor Koretzky to claim South Africa’s first Olympic cycling medal since Melbourne in 1956.
Cyril Ramaphosa, the President of South Africa, praised the medal winners. He said: “Congratulations to our repeat Olympic champion, Tatjana Smith, for earning South Africa’s first #gold medal at #Paris2024 with her stunning surge in the 100m breaststroke in the Paris La Defense Arena pool. Congratulations too to mountain biker Alan Hatherly for collecting bronze in the men’s cross-country race, with the slightest of margins separating the podium party. We can only look forward to more spectacular performances.”
