SHINING STAR South Africa’s most decorated Olympian Tatjana Smith was involved in the best sport moment of 2024, and it wasn't even in a sports arena. Picture: Michael Sherman/IOL Sport
Image: Michael Sherman/IOL Sport
As 2024 rolls to a close, there have been some incredible sporting moments this year but one stood out from the rest even though it did not happen in a sports arena - when SA’s most decorated Olympian Tatjana Smith received a R100 note from a fan as a token of appreciation.
Smith was Team South Africa’s top achiever at the Paris Olympics with the gold and silver medal in the 100 metre and 200 metre breaststroke respectively.
It brought her medal tally to four including the Tokyo Olympics, with her two golds and two silvers which made Smith the most successful Olympian from the Rainbow nation.
Smith also announced her retirement at the Olympics at the age of 27.
On the team’s return to South Africa, at OR Tambo International in August, a proud fan who got to be up close and personal with Smith was generous enough to hand the retiring swimming star a R100 note for her performance in Paris.
”I wish I could give you more,” said the woman as she handed over the note after posing for a selfie with one of South Africa’s greatest Olympians.
A couple weeks later, Smith spoke to IOL Sport in an exclusive interview about that R100 moment.
“Yes, R100 - how special! It was so special, it was really not necessary. She said if she could she would give me more,” said Smith.
“For me it was the heart behind it. It was the fact that she was so happy and she just wanted to celebrate me.
“It showed her big heart and how much she cared. Those are the moments - you think the gold medal moment on the podium is the most special - but those ones I treasure more than the moment on the podium.”