Tatjana Smith ends retirement and targets LA 2028

South Africa's most decorated Olympian is returning to competitive swimming with the Los Angeles Games in her sights.

Tatjana Smith, the double Olympic breaststroke champion from South Africa, has decided to return to competitive swimming after stepping away following the 2024 Paris Games. Her objective is a place on the start blocks at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.

The 29-year-old, the most decorated Olympian her country has produced, explained that an absence from the pool drove the comeback. She described the move as feeling somewhat crazy and frightening while also thrilling.

At Paris 2024, Smith took gold in the 100m breaststroke and silver over 200m. That followed a 200m breaststroke title and 100m silver at Tokyo 2020. She previously held the world record in the 200m discipline.

On her return, she intends to race the 50m breaststroke, an Olympic distance she has not competed in before. She called it a fresh challenge with no established record for her, saying she hopes to create some.

Smith noted that Los Angeles remains a target rather than a guarantee, since she still needs to develop her race, post qualifying times and win back her spot at that level.