Retiring Tatjana Smith bows out of the Olympic Games a legend

She finished just behind her American rival Kate Douglass, who claimed gold with a time of 2.19.24.

Dutch swimmer Tes Schouten took the bronze, finishing in 2.21.05. in front of a capacity crowd, a tearful Smith announced her retirement from the sport to focus on other areas of her life.

Smith retires as the most decorated South Africa Olympian, with a total of four medals – two gold and two silver.

"I actually caught myself almost crying before the race, that crying of joy just to like have to close the book of 22 years, that's been open and also wearing the green and gold tracksuit, it's always a special place in my heart," Smith said.

"I walked with pride with my tracksuit on and it was amazing to represent my country for one last time. I'm just so grateful and I just wanna say thank you to everyone back home that's been supporting me, showed me so much love. I hope that my story can inspire someone at home or anywhere in the world and I'm excited to see what the future holds outside of swimming."

READ: Tatjana Smith adds to Olympic gold with silver medal in 200m breaststroke

Smith never imagined returning to South Africa with two medals – one gold and one bronze - along with an incentive of R600 000 from the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC).

"Definitely not, obviously the medals are a blessing but I think it's just pushing myself past what I thought I was capable of. Even swimming a faster time at the final, I really proved to myself that I could," she added.

"Obviously, then you wonder, could I go more? but I know I have peace and I will always one or two times wonder because you have that love for the sport but I know for now, I will always remind myself that God has a plan outside of swimming too.

“That season is over and I can look forward to the season to come, even though I don't know what it is, I trust God that he will provide."