We told you in yesterday’s Wrap (subscribe if you haven’t!) that Tatjana Smith (nee Schoenmaker) was the one to watch at the 2024 Paris Olympics, and our golden girl delivered!

Smith, a breaststroke doyenne, finished second in yesterday’s 200-metre breaststroke event at the Olympics, earning her a silver medal, her fourth Olympic medal. She was the previous world record holder in the long course 200-metre breaststroke and has now become the most decorated Olympian in South African history, with two golds. 🥇

Then, just as we were all celebrating, the 27-year-old Smith announced that she was retiring from competitive swimming. 

But who is Smith, and how did she find her fins?

Born in Johannesburg on 9 July 1997 (of course she’s a water sign!) to parents Rene and Renske, Smith began swimming at age five and started competing at age eight. At age 15, she joined the University of Pretoria (UP) Sport School (a high-performance sports school in Pretoria), where she studied BCom Financial Sciences. 

She has a sister, Fabienne. 

In 2018, she won two gold medals at the Commonwealth Games in breaststroke events.

In 2021, she continued her success, setting new South African records and qualifying for the Tokyo Olympics. There, she made history, winning a silver medal in the 100-metre breaststroke and a gold medal in the 200-metre breaststroke, setting a world record.

Schoenmaker continued her winning streak in 2022, securing medals at the South African National Swimming Championships and the Commonwealth Games.

Most recently, in 2023, she again dominated the South African National Swimming Championships, winning titles and qualifying for the World Aquatics Championships.

She’s related, via marriage, to another South African sporting hero, Rugby World Cup-winning Springboks captain Siya Kolisi. Her husband, Joel, who she married in November 2023, is the brother of Kolisi’s wife, Rachel. Talk about major star power in one family!

Smith has now hung up her swimming cap and is looking forward to her new journey. “I’ve given 22 years to this sport; now it’s time to give 22 years to something else. I think there will be moments when I think: ‘Ag, maybe’ when I see major competitions when I think I could have been there. But I’ll also remember this day, how I felt and how at peace I was with the decision,” she said. She had previously hinted at retirement. 

And what a way to bow out. We’re all excited to see what life has in store for our golden girl, Smith. Thank you for your service to Mzansi. You’ve made us incredibly proud!