Tatjana Smith’s Proud Dad After Swimmer Ends Fulfilling Career With Climatic Retirement: “Worth It”
- South African Olympic swimmer Tatjana Smith plans for a fun-filled retirement after calling time on her career
- Smith retires as only the second South African woman after Penny Heyns to win an Olympic gold medal
- The swimmer's father, Rene Schoenmaker, opened up about the sacrifices it took to propel his daughter to the top
Source: UGC
She is only 27 and has a long life to look forward to — and Tatjana Smith plans to make the most of every second of it.
South Africa's Olympic swimmer revealed as much as she dropped a bombshell retirement announcement after clinching two podium finishes this week.
Tatjana Smith road to the top
In the background, Smith's Netherlands-born father, Rene Schoenmaker, reflected on the sacrifices made en route to Olympic stardom.
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Smith, the first woman to win Olympic gold for South Africa after Penny Heyns, called time on her stellar career on a high, The South African reported.
She powered her way to gold in the 100m breaststroke and silver in the 200m breast final. Smith alternated the medal colours at the preceding Tokyo Olympics — winning 200m breast gold and silver in the 100m event.
Sacrifices made along the way
During an exclusive SABC Sport interview, Schoenmaker beamed with pride as he spoke about his daughter, Smith's achievements.
"For 15 years, we didn't go on a family holiday because [we had] no money. All of it went into swimming to try and get them [Smith and her sister, Fabienne Schoenmaker] through education."
Schoenmaker said their family's sacrifices were worth every penny saved over the years.
"That was the big thing for the family. [This meant] we spent the holidays together or worked to make the extra buck to pay for things."
The sacrifices of Rene and his wife Renske, Smith and Febienne's mother, culminated in a successful swansong Games outing for the swim star.
Smith said her retirement plans included focusing on family and friendships.
Luxolo Adams eyes legal spat over Wayde Van Niekerk drop
In related news, Briefly News reported that drama brewed in South African athletics as sprint sensation Luxolo Adams prepared to legally take on Athletics SA (ASA) over his drop in favour of 400m record-holder Wayde van Niekerk.
The 200m specialist headed to Instagram to publish a statement about the supposed treatment he had suffered.
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Source: Briefly News
