Tatjana Smith comes out of retirement for swimming comeback in South Africa

Four-time Olympic medallist Tatjana Smith is returning to competitive swimming, two years after retiring following the Paris Olympics.

Smith, formerly Schoenmaker, will make her comeback at the South African Short Course Championships in Pietermaritzburg from 24–27 September.

The Olympic champion will represent her new Stellenbosch-based team, Lane Leader, and has entered the 50m, 100m and 200m breaststroke as well as several relays.

Her return has added significant interest to next week’s national championships.

Tatjana Smith returns after Paris Olympics retirement

Smith retired from competitive swimming after winning gold and silver at the Paris Olympics in 2024.

Now she is preparing to race again on home soil.

Swimming South Africa Head of High Performance Dean Price welcomed the return of one of the country’s most successful swimmers.

“We’re very excited that Tatjana is coming back to swimming. We know Tatjana is an excellent racer, so you can really count on her in a big event. I think she’ll be a huge addition to our team, and I think not only in the individual, but I think she can be of great value in the relays as well… We look forward to her competing in her first event, and we feel very confident that she’s going to do very well.”

‘The world better watch out’

Commonwealth Games silver medallist Michael Houlie, who was part of Team SA alongside Smith in Tokyo, believes her return could have an immediate impact.

“She’s a phenomenal swimmer, but more importantly, she looks like a happy swimmer right now. And that could be dangerous for everyone else, so the world better watch out,” said Houlie.

Duné Coetzee is also looking forward to seeing Smith back in competition.

“I think it is amazing that she is coming back. She is the best there is and such a huge inspiration to me. I’m really excited to see her race again and to learn from her.”

Michael Houlie targets World Short Course Championships

Smith will not be the only swimmer attracting attention in Pietermaritzburg.

Houlie is entered in the 50m and 100m breaststroke and 50m freestyle.

He will be targeting qualification for the World Short Course Championships in Beijing in December.

Coetzee, meanwhile, will tackle eight individual events across freestyle and butterfly.

She recently relocated to Pietermaritzburg to train at Seals Swimming Club under coach Wayne Riddin.

“I’ve been doing some of the hardest sets I have ever done, which has been really motivating and has also given me a lot of confidence in my swimming.”

Other notable entrants include Hannah Pearse, Georgia Nel, Guy Brooks, Chris Smith and Para swimmer Christian Sadie.

But with Smith returning to competitive swimming for the first time since her retirement in 2024, much of the attention in Pietermaritzburg will be on the Olympic champion when she steps back onto the starting blocks.

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