Paris Olympics 2024: Who is SA’s swimmer Tatjana Smith?
Five things to know about Rachel Kolisi’s sister-in-law, Tatjana Smith, who will represent South Africa at the Paris Olympics 2024.
South African swimmer Tatjana Smith, formerly Shoenmaker, will be representing the country at the Paris Olympics 2024 – here’s five things to know about
TATJANA SMITH TO REPRESENT SOUTH AFRICA AT PARIS OLYMPICS 2024
SASCOC announced the first batch of athletes who will be representing South Africa at the Paris Olympics 2024. And among many other big names, is swimmer Tatjana Smith – formerly Shoenmaker. Tatjana will be competing in the 100m and 200m breaststroke competition.
She will be joined by five other South African female “aquatics” – including Aimee Canny (200m freestyle), Kaylene Corbett (200m breaststroke), Erin Gallagher (100m butterfly), Rebecca Meder (200m IM) and Julia Vincent (diving, 3m springboard). While there are three male “aquatics” – Pieter Coetze (100m and 200m breaststroke), Chad le Cos (100m butterfly) and Matthew Sates (100m, 200m butterfly and 200m IM).
Tatjana took to Instagram to express her excitement to be competing at the Paris Olympics 2024.
“Annnnd it is OFFICIAL!!!! Paris Olympics 2024 🇫🇷🗼. Congratulations to all the other athletes including my fellow swimmers for making the team . VERY VERY EXCITED to swim for the Glory of God and to represent my country while doing it 🙏🏼,” she wrote.
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The Paris Olympics 2024 kicks off on 26 July and ends on 11 August. The opening ceremony will take place in Jardins du Trocadéro and the Seine. While the closing ceremony will take place at Stade de France.
FIVE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT MRS SMITH
Tatjana is Rachel Kolisi’s sister-in-law. The Olympic swimmer married Rachel’s brother, Joel Smith at the Pat Busch Mountain Reserve in the Western Cape in 2023. Rachel is married to Springboks captain Siya Kolisi. The pair have two children together – Nicholas (9) and Keziah (6). The family of four now live in Paris, France as Siya plays for Paris-based rugby team, Racing92. So, it looks like there is going to be a Smith family reunion soon!
Her maiden surname was Shoenmaker, which she was best known as before she married Joel.
Tatjana holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree in financial sciences from the University of Pretoria.
She made her Olympic debut in Tokyo and became only the third South African woman to win an Olympic swimming title. She followed Joan Harrison and Helsinki Games. According to The Citizen, Tatjana won gold in the 100m and 200m breaststroke finals at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Queensland, Austrailia.
Before marrying Mr Smith, Tatjana was reportedly in a relationship with fellow swimmer Ruan Ras.
