Gold medalist Tatjana Smith (C) of South Africa, silver medalist Tang Qianting (L) of China and bronze medalist Mona Mc Sharry of Ireland show their medals during the victory ceremony for the women's 100m breaststroke of swimming at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, July 29, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Peng)
PARIS, July 29 (Xinhua) -- South African Tatjana Smith made a late surge to win gold in the women's 100m breaststroke at the Paris Olympics on Monday.
Smith, the silver medalist in the event at the Tokyo Games, overtook China's Tang Qianting in the final 10 meters to touch the wall in one minute 5.28 seconds at La Defense Arena.
Tang took the silver medal in 1:05.54 and Ireland's Mona McSharry got bronze in 1:05.59.
McSharry marked Ireland's first medal at these Games and the country's first in swimming since the Atlanta 1996 Olympics.
Smith was elated at having added the 100m breaststroke crown to the 200m title she won at Tokyo 2020 under her maiden name of Schoenmaker.
"I am going to keep my phone off," the 27-year-old said. "I don't know, I think everyone is so proud. Obviously I think they would have been proud even if I did not win a medal. That's what I am really grateful for, really just the people in my life, they have been so supportive. It's the small things that make us and drive us as athletes."
When asked if she felt pressure going into the race, Smith replied: "I never focus on that. I just got out there and swam my best.
"I know that every time I dive in, I am trying as hard as possible so that's what I do every single race. If it happens to be like that then I am very grateful, it's a massive blessing." ■
Silver medalist Tang Qianting (R) of China and gold medalist Tatjana Smith of South Africa react after the victory ceremony for women's 100m breaststroke of swimming at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, July 29, 2024. (Xinhua/Du Yu)
Gold medalist Tatjana Smith (C) of South Africa, silver medalist Tang Qianting (L) of China and bronze medalist Mona Mc Sharry of Ireland pose for a selfie during the victory ceremony for the women's 100m breaststroke of swimming at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, July 29, 2024. (Xinhua/Xue Yuge)
Silver medalist Tang Qianting (L) of China shows the medal during the victory ceremony for the women's 100m breaststroke of swimming at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, July 29, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Peng)
Gold medalist Tatjana Smith of South Africa reacts during the victory ceremony for the women's 100m breaststroke of swimming at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, July 29, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Peng)
Bronze medalist Mona Mc Sharry of Ireland reacts during the victory ceremony for the women's 100m breaststroke of swimming at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, July 29, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Peng)
Tang Qianting of China competes during the women's 100m breaststroke final of swimming at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, July 29, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Yuguo)
Silver medalist Tang Qianting of China reacts after the women's 100m breaststroke final of swimming at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, July 29, 2024. (Xinhua/Luo Yuan)
Silver medalist Tang Qianting of China shows the medal after the victory ceremony for women's 100m breaststroke of swimming at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, July 29, 2024. (Xinhua/Luo Yuan)
Silver medalist Tang Qianting of China greets the spectators after the victory ceremony for women's 100m breaststroke of swimming at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, July 29, 2024. (Xinhua/Luo Yuan)
Tatjana Smith (R) of South Africa shakes hands with Tang Qianting of China after the women's 100m breaststroke of swimming final at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, July 29, 2024. (Xinhua/Du Yu)
