Tatjana Smith announces return to competitive swimming for LA 2028
3 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 22, 2026, 10:10 AM
Last updated Sep 22, 2026
South Africa's double Olympic swimming champion Tatjana Smith is coming out of retirement to pursue a place at the 2028 Los Angeles Games. The 29-year-old said she has missed swimming and described her return as "a little crazy, a little scary and very exciting". Smith aims to compete in the newly introduced 50m distance after winning multiple medals in previous Olympic events. She retired after the 2024 Olympics but now seeks to qualify for the upcoming Games, stating that she is focused on building a race that could earn her a spot back in competition.
- •Tatjana Smith won two golds and two silvers across Paris 2024 and Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
- •She aims to compete in the new 50m event at LA 2028.
- •Smith retired after the 2024 Olympics but is now returning to training.
- •She stated her comeback feels crazy and exciting.
- 10:10 AMYahoo Sports — 'I lost my love for swimming' - Smith comes out of retirement
- 9:21 AMYahoo Sports — Olympic champion Smith to come out of retirement
- 9:21 AMBBC Sport — Olympic champion Smith to come out of retirement
""Crazy, scaring and exciting" - South Africa's double Olympic swimming champion Tatjana Smith reverses her retirement decision to chase a spot at the LA 2028 Games.
""Crazy, scaring and exciting" - South Africa's double Olympic swimming champion Tatjana Smith reverses her retirement decision to chase a spot at the LA 2028 Games.
"South Africa's most successful Olympian Tatjana Smith explains why she has reversed her decision to retire from competitive swimming.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsSep 22, 2026, 10:10 AM'I lost my love for swimming' - Smith comes out of retirement
South Africa's most successful Olympian Tatjana Smith explains why she has reversed her decision to retire from competitive swimming.
- Yahoo SportsSep 22, 2026, 9:21 AMOlympic champion Smith to come out of retirement
"Crazy, scaring and exciting" - South Africa's double Olympic swimming champion Tatjana Smith reverses her retirement decision to chase a spot at the LA 2028 Games.
- BBC SportSep 22, 2026, 9:21 AMOlympic champion Smith to come out of retirement
"Crazy, scaring and exciting" - South Africa's double Olympic swimming champion Tatjana Smith reverses her retirement decision to chase a spot at the LA 2028 Games.
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