Two years after stepping away from the pool, South Africa’s most decorated Olympian is preparing to race again. This time, she says, the decision is entirely her own.
When Tatjana Smith retired in 2024, she believed her swimming career was over. Time away gave the two-time Olympic champion room to build a life beyond competition and reconsider what the sport meant to her. Now she has announced her return. “I discovered that I could have a full life beyond the pool and still choose to swim,” Smith said. “I am coming back because I want to. This time, the decision is mine.”
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Smith won four individual Olympic medals across the Tokyo and Paris Games, including gold in the 200m breaststroke at both. But her comeback is about more than adding to that record. She says she missed the challenge of racing and has found a way to pursue it while keeping the balance she gained during retirement.
A Different Approach to Training
Smith will take on a new event and work with a new coach and training group in a new city. She has yet to reveal the event or name the coach. What she has made clear is that her life outside the pool will remain a priority.
“I have learned that I don’t have to choose between being an athlete and having a full life outside of sport,” she said. “I can have both.” That perspective also informs how she talks about athlete wellbeing. Smith believes competitors should be able to pursue excellence in environments where they feel safe, supported and respected.
Her return forms part of her ongoing relationship with Huawei. The brand has linked her comeback with the return of 5G to its flagship smartphone range in South Africa through the HUAWEI Pura 90s Series. Smith has also worked with Huawei wearables to track activity, recovery and performance.
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Smith’s first race back is scheduled for the South African Short Course Championships in Pietermaritzburg, taking place from 24 to 27 September 2026.
