Tatjana Smith unique: “My reason for swimming was to show that we can do it from South Africa”

Post-retirement Tatjana Smith

South Africa’s most adorned Olympian posted a heartwarming message a 12 months after she swam the final race of her profession, through which she expressed her gratitude in direction of the game, her household and the crew that made her dream attainable. 

“That final race wasn’t just mine — it belonged to my family, who sacrificed more than most will ever know. Standing on the deck that day, I wasn’t just closing a chapter. I was celebrating them and the rest of my team, their belief in me, and all the moments we lived through together,” she wrote in her submit.

And in typical Smith style, she celebrated her opponents, too.

“I even got to celebrate my competitors — witnessing them reach their dreams, knowing the work and heart behind every moment of success. Swimming gave me a stage — but more importantly, it gave me a purpose, a second family, and moments I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life.”

Speaking to Olympics.com, Smith mentioned the transition away from skilled sport had been ‘overwhelming’ as she launched into a seek for a brand new ardour. 

She had extra time for herself, travelling, doing talking engagements, spending time together with her husband and being concerned with tasks which are nonetheless tethered to swimming and sport. 

“I would not say the previous, not even two years, had been simple. I believe it was undoubtedly laborious since you had been utterly ripped out of a routine, and for therefore lengthy, my entire life has been a routine. I knew what I used to be consuming, my entire life, for four-year cycles had been deliberate to the day after which to the minute.

“So it was an adjustment, however I needed to be taught to have extra grace for myself.

“Now I feel like I’m very happy, compared to who I was as a person and where I was before in life.”