After digging deep to win the countrys first gold of the Paris Olympics , experienced swimmer Tatjana Smith hopes she has motivated younger South African swimmers to chase their dreams.
Smith fought hard in the womens 100m breaststroke final on Monday night, shutting down Chinese athlete Qianting Tang in the closing stages to secure victory in 1:05.28.
After securing two medals at the Tokyo Games three years ago, Smith became only the second South African woman (after fellow swimmer Penny Heyns) to bag three Olympic medals.
She dedicated her latest podium place to her support team and her compatriots back home.
The emotions are reallybecause it took a village to get me to where I am today, and I know they would have been proud even if I didnt have a medal, but it was really for them, Smith said after the race.
