South African Swimmer Wins Gold and Gives God the Glory

Published: August 2, 2024

South African Swimmer Wins Gold and Gives God the Glory

By Movieguide® Contributor

South African swimmer Tatjana Smith is giving the glory to God following her gold medal win at the Paris Olympics.

“It took a village to get me where I am today,” Smith said after winning the women’s 100m breaststroke final. “I know they would have been proud even if I didn’t have a medal, but it was really for them. I swam for everyone that’s been there for me and that’s believed with me, and for our country as well.”

This is her second gold medal; Smith took first place in Tokyo in the 200m breaststroke. She set the world record with that race and became the first South African female swimmer to earn a gold medal in 25 years.

Movieguide® previously reported on her 2021 win:

Tatjana Schoemaker made Olympic Games history after setting the new record for women’s 200-meter breaststroke in Tokyo.

Despite the momentous occasion, the swimmer from South Africa gave all glory to God.

Beneath her green swimming cap, Schoemaker wore a white cap with the words “Soli Deo Gloria,” which means “Glory to God alone,” printed on the side. It also featured a blue Jesus fish.

At the start of the Tokyo Olympics, Schoemaker shared her thankfulness for the opportunity to swim for her country and her desire to honor God.

“LET THE GAMES BEGIN ????,” she wrote on her Instagram. “Father God may your will be done, may your peace fill us up, may we praise you no matter what the outcome, may we be empowered by your strength to give it our all and may we forever be in the awe of your goodness! Thank you for bringing us to this very moment ??.”

Speaking about her mindset before this year’s race, Smith said, “It’s a daily thing that you have to tell yourself, that you’re not swimming for others’ expectations. I think sometimes my own expectations are higher than those [of others].”

“It’s really just coming back to it, and I think just really for me, just trusting in God and knowing that His plan will ultimately work out,” she continued. “I will keep on focusing on Him and His trust, and that I can just prepare as well as I can…I’m going to let go and let God.”

Smith is open about her faith, putting “All Glory to God” in her Instagram bio.

In a post from last September, she wrote, “God is faithful and that is why I can stand in confidence, with a big smile and a faithful heart that no matter what I face that He is there with me and we will make it through. Sometimes through in our eyes might look different to what through looks like for God.”

“I had to reflect and realised that maybe through for me was swimming a certain time, swimming with no doubt or maybe even winning a certain medal or race,” Smith’s post continued. “But through for God is relying on Him through the challenges and stepping into the victory He has already won.”