Tatjana Smith’s Journey Ends In Paris: Why The Star Swimmer Decided To Hang Up Her Goggles

Holifil

04 Apr, 2025

Tatjana Smith has shared her personal reasons for retiring from professional swimming after an incredible performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
This South African powerhouse took home two medals—gold in the Women's 100m breaststroke and silver in the 200m event—making her one of the standout athletes of the Games.
At just 27 years old, Smith's decision to step away from competitive swimming has left fans wondering what drove such a talented athlete to call it quits so soon.

Hey there, sports fans! Let me tell you about Tatjana Smith, the South African swimmer who just made waves—not just in the pool but also in the headlines. After lighting up the Paris 2024 Olympics with not one, but two medals, she surprised everyone by announcing her retirement. Yep, you heard that right—she's stepping away from the sport that shaped her life for over two decades.

Tatjana didn't just dip her toes into Olympic glory; she dove headfirst. She claimed gold in the Women's 100m breaststroke and silver in the 200m breaststroke, cementing her place as Team South Africa's top performer in Paris. But instead of celebrating her victories and planning for the future, Smith decided to bow out gracefully, leaving fans in awe—and a bit shocked.

Tatjana Smith celebrates after clinching gold in the Women’s 100m Breaststroke Final at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 in Nanterre, France. Photo: Ian MacNicol. Source: Getty Images

Why Tatjana Smith Called It Quits After Paris 2024

In a candid chat with SportsBoom, Tatjana opened up about the tough decision to retire from swimming. Now, this wasn't something she had planned all along—it was more of a gut feeling that struck her during the Games. Here's the scoop: financial struggles played a big role in her choice. Even though she managed to turn swimming into a full-time career after Tokyo, the pressure of funding her own journey weighed heavily on her shoulders.

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"The pressure was coming from the financial side. After Tokyo, I was lucky enough to make swimming my career, but before that, I relied heavily on my parents. I wasn't getting the support I needed to live independently," Smith confessed to SportsBoom.

She added that the decision to retire wasn't easy, especially after dedicating 22 years of her life to swimming. "I decided to retire right there in Paris. It wasn't part of my original plan. Winning that gold medal was almost like a perfect farewell gift. Going to Paris wasn’t even supposed to be my final stop—I thought I’d keep going. But something deep inside me told me it was time," she revealed.

"I was fortunate enough to end up winning a gold medal. Going to Paris was never the plan; I was going to carry on swimming. It was between my 100 and 200 that I just felt really convicted in my heart."

Who Is Tatjana Smith? A Quick Dive Into Her Life

Before we move on, let's take a moment to appreciate who Tatjana Smith really is. She's not just another swimmer; she's a trailblazer. As the first South African woman to win two Olympic gold medals since Penny Heyns achieved the feat in Atlanta back in 1996, Tatjana has rewritten history. Oh, and did I mention she's married to Joel Smith, the brother of rugby legend Rachel Kolisi? Their wedding took place at the stunning Pat Busch Mountain Reserve in the Western Cape in 2023.

Born and raised in Johannesburg, Tatjana—formerly known as Tatjana Schoenmaker—has always been driven. Before becoming an Olympian, she earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree in financial services from the University of Pretoria (UP). Her Olympic debut came in Tokyo, where she became only the third South African woman to claim an Olympic swimming title, following in the footsteps of Joan Harrison (Helsinki 1952) and Penny Heyns.

Under the guidance of coach Rocco Meiring, Smith trains alongside some of the best swimmers in the world, including World Championships medalist Pieter Coetze, Olympic finalist Kaylene Corbett, and national record holders Erin Gallagher and Matthew Sates. Clearly, she's surrounded by talent, and her success speaks for itself.

Walaza Shares His Own Paris Story

While Tatjana's story has captured the spotlight, another South African athlete, Bayanda Walaza, also made headlines in Paris. The young sprinter was part of the 4x100m relay team that brought home a silver medal, adding to South Africa's impressive tally at the Games.

Despite being part of such a historic moment, Walaza admitted that he hadn't expected to be selected for the relay team. "There were others who seemed better suited for the job, but I’m grateful for the opportunity," he said. His experience in Paris wasn't just about winning a medal—it was about proving himself and showing the world what South African athletes are capable of.