Tatjana Smith Comes Out Of Retirement For 2028 Olympics

Tatjana Smith, the most decorated Olympian from South Africa, has announced her return to competitive swimming with the goal of competing in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. The 29-year-old double Olympic champion initially retired following the 2024 Paris Games.

Smith stated that she is returning because she wants to, noting that the time away from the pool provided her with perspective and power. While she previously believed her swimming chapter had ended, she expressed that she missed the challenge and feeling of racing.

Focus on the 50m Breaststroke

The LA Games will feature an expanded programme that includes the 50m distance for butterfly, backstroke, and breaststroke.

Tatjana Smith Comes Out Of Retirement For 2028 Olympics — Photo: SwimSwam

Describing the move as a new challenge, Smith said in a social media video, For the first time I am choosing swimming and I am choosing this event and I’m choosing a new event that has no history, but I’ll try and write some new history. She acknowledged that the goal of LA28 is not a promise, as she must still build a race and qualify to earn her spot back on the blocks.

New Training and Competitive Outlook

The comeback involves a complete restructuring of Smith’s athletic environment. She is moving from the Tuks Swimming Academy in Pretoria to Lane Leader in Stellenbosch, where she will train under a new coach, Karin Hugo.

Tatjana Smith parades with her 100m breaststroke gold medal at Champions Park in Paris — Photo: TimesLIVE

Smith, a former world record holder in the 200m breaststroke, is scheduled to make her first competitive appearance since the Paris Games at the South African Short Course Championships in Pietermaritzburg from September 24-27. She is entered in the 100, 200, and 50 breaststroke events.

Beyond her athletic goals, Smith has been vocal regarding her disapproval of how athletes are treated by Swimming South Africa. She expressed hope to help lead a movement for a more supportive and safe environment, stating that athletes deserve to be respected and to pursue excellence without compromising who they are.

Smith’s Olympic career includes gold medals in the 200m breaststroke at the Tokyo Olympics and the 100m breaststroke in Paris. At the Paris 2024 Games, she also earned a silver medal in the 200m, while her Tokyo performance included a silver medal in the 100m.