Semi-final result: Tatjana swims ever closer to another gold medal

Tatjana Smith, the unequivocal Team SA golden girl of the Paris Olympics to date, could be closing in on another gold medal after claiming a comfortable place in the 200m breaststroke final.

Smith was widely expected to win her semi-final, but touched the wall in 2:19:94, just behind surprise winner Kate Douglass.

Nevertheless, she has comfortably progressed to the the final, with the top 8 set to now race for medal places on Thursday, 1 August just after 21:00 (SA time), with Smith joined by Kaylene Corbett after she impressively finished second in the first semi-final.

Earlier on Wednesday, Smith, swimming in Heat 1 of the event, posted the fastest overall time of 2:21:57. Only 23 swimmers took to the starting blocks for the heats which saw the top 16 qualify for the semi-finals, which then saw the 27-year-old produce another dominant performance.

Tatjana edges closer to history after semi-final success

Eyes on the prize

In addition, as reported by The South African website, new Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, promised that he has a ‘big surprise’ for all Team SA medal winners, suggesting there could be more prize money coming their way.

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