Tatjana Smith stands on the brink of history ahead of Thursday night’s much-anticipated action in the swimming pool at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
Smith is chasing the breaststroke double in the 200m having already scooped up the gold in the 100m on Monday night.
Any podium finish would take Smith’s tally to four Olympic medals following her gold and silver at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, moving her level with fellow swimmer Chal de Clos.
Her second gold medal also put her level with swimmer Penny Heyns and track star Caster Semenya for most golds won at an Olympics, but she can surpass them and become Team South Africa’s most decorated Olympian of all time if she can bag another gold on Thursday night.
🏅 𝕆![CDATA[]]>𝕝![CDATA[]]>𝕪![CDATA[]]>𝕞![CDATA[]]>𝕡![CDATA[]]>𝕚![CDATA[]]>𝕔 𝔾![CDATA[]]>𝕒![CDATA[]]>𝕞![CDATA[]]>𝕖![CDATA[]]>𝕤 ℙ𝕒![CDATA[]]>𝕣![CDATA[]]>𝕚![CDATA[]]>𝕤 𝟚![CDATA[]]>𝟘![CDATA[]]>𝟚![CDATA[]]>𝟜 🏅
— SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) July 31, 2024
🇿![CDATA[]]>🇦 #TeamSA's Tatjana Smith secured a spot in the Final after finishing 2nd in the #Swimming Women's 200M Breaststroke Semi-Finals!#SABCSportOlympics #Paris2024 #Olympics pic.twitter.com/8iScYUgEuA
Smith will be joined in the final by compatriot Kaylene Corbett, who finished second in her semi-final heat to qualify fourth fastest ahead of the gold-medal race.
Corbett goes into the race in Smith’s shadow and flying under the radar. But with no pressure, she can go out there and express herself in pursuit of a podium finish.
Elswhere in the pool, it’s also a big night for Pieter Coetze in the 200m backstroke final.
Coetze booked his spot in his second final of the Games by finishing second in his heat and going through as the third-fastest qualifier.
Coetze managed a fifth place finish in the 100m on Monday and will surely be targeting a podium place on Thursday night.
Meanwhile, on Thursday morning, Team SA’s golfers will make their first appearance in the Olympics when the golf competition tees off at the former Ryder Cup venue Le Golf National.
Final preparations for Christiaan Bezuidenhout and Erik van Rooyen ahead of the first round of the @OlympicGolf tomorrow. 🔨![CDATA[]]>🚧#OlympicGames #Paris2024 #Golf #GreatnessBeginsHere #OlympicGolf pic.twitter.com/fCa4hG0VU6
— Sunshine Tour (@Sunshine_Tour) July 31, 2024
South Africa’s challenge will be spearheaded by Erik van Rooyen and Christiaan Bezuidenhout after the likes of Louis Oosthuizen wasn’t considered, as players who play in the LIV Golf Tour can’t accumulate enough ranking points to qualify.
SOUTH AFRICANS IN ACTION ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 1
Surfing
Round 3: Sarah Baum vs Carissa Moore
Golf
First round: Christiaan Bezuidenhout (10.44am), Erik van Rooyen (11.17am)
Archery
Individual elimination, 3.30pm: Wian Roux v Kim Je Doek
Cycling
Women's BMX Racing, From 5.30pm: Miyanda Maseti
Women’s Hockey
5.30pm: South Africa vs Spain
Rowing
Women's singles scull - C final, 7.15pm: Paige Badenhorst
Swimming
200m Individual Medley heats, 11.47am: Matthew Sates
Men's 200m backstroke final, 8.38pm: Pieter Coetze
Women's 200m breaststroke final, 9.11pm: Tatjana Smith, Kaylene Corbett
@JohnGoliath82