South Africa’s golden girl of swimming, Tatjana Smith (née Schoenmaker), is excited and ready for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

Smith will head to the global showpiece as the reigning women’s 200 m breaststroke champion and there is pressure to defend her title in the pool. She will also be competing in the 100 m breaststroke, and in 2021 in Tokyo, she clinched silver in the event.

Smith said regarding the pressure, she can only control what she can, and it’s just working on the finer details, which could be the difference between winning and missing out.

Tatjana Smith with her gold she won in Tokyo. Photo: Getty

“I don’t think there’s much difference, that’s the part of the four years or like getting used to is just like perfecting all the small things,” said Smith. “Swimming is a very technical sport and it’s those small margins that count, so I don't think basically we can do much more, but it’s like working on those small little things.

“I think in those times as well its character building and that, so I think the only difference is you’re growing as a person and you’re changing. I’m getting older also and that was a massive difference, but otherwise, it’s always just the same as just getting it right every time.”

While some events have already started, the Olympics will officially start on Friday night with the opening ceremony in Paris.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek mvh