Paris Olympics, Day 3: Tatjana Smith Rallies to Win 100 Breast Gold
Tatjana Schoenmaker might have pressure at the Olympics in Paris. Tatjana Smith, though, had none.
The body under the cap is still the same one that won the 200 breaststroke in Tokyo in 2021, setting a world record. But the expectations of that swim aren’t saddling the mind in the cap of the newly married Smith.
Swimming freely, Smith picked up her second first gold Monday night in a thrilling final. She got to the wall first in 1:05.28, clawing back seven tenths on the final 50 meters on Tang Quianting. Tang won silver in 1:05.54, .05 up on Mona McSharry. Lilly King was denied a medal at her third straight Olympics by .01, finishing tied for fourth with Benedetta Pilato in 1:05.60.
Additional Success of Tatjana Smith
Smith’s ability to handle pressure so well and still perform at her best shows her growth and maturity as a swimmer. Her mindset shift after getting married allowed her to compete freely without the weight of expectations on her shoulders.
- World Record: Lilly King, USA, 1:04.13 (2017)
- Olympic Record: Tatjana Smith (nee Schoenmaker), South Africa, 1:04.82 (2021)
- Tokyo Olympic Champion: Lydia Jacoby, USA, 1:04.95
The ease with which Smith holds the pressure wasn’t always guaranteed. It’s taken time, Smith making the most of her three years between the games in the mentality department. Getting married provided not just a significant non-swimming life change but a handy lens through which to frame the transformation.
“It’s learning how to deal with that (pressure),” Smith said Sunday night after the semifinals. “So it’s really been through the years how I’ve learned that, and I think with my new surname, the pressure is off. There’s no more Schoenmaker. Everything came with Schoenmaker, so it really just feels like I can swim freely. I don’t have the pressure of Schoenmaker on me. I’m a new and different person.”
Mental Strength of Tatjana Smith
Smith’s mental strength and ability to overcome pressure can serve as inspiration for young athletes striving to excel in high-pressure situations. Her approach to embracing the challenge and enjoying the moment showcases the importance of focusing on the process rather than the outcome.
“It was really as close as it could have possibly been,” King said. “So it was really just about the touch. And I could have very easily been second and I ended up tying for fourth. That’s kind of the way luck of the draw with this race. Obviously disappointed but still got a lot of meet left and shifting my focus to the 200.”
In Paris, she’s turned pressure into poise. And with her best event still to come, it’s already turned into a medal.
“In Tokyo, it was my first Olympic Games,” Smith said. “I think I was more like, you kind of wanted to prove yourself. This time, I’m really just enjoying it. I know this is my last Olympics, so it’s definitely taking it all in and really having fun every race. Everything I do is to not stand behind the blocks and be worried. I know I’ve prepared as best as I could, and now it’s the fun part. It’s just to enjoy and embrace the burn, and I just love competing.”
