Tatjana Smith amongst the big winners at the 2024 Gauteng Sport Awards

She was crowned Sportswoman of the Year and took home over R 350 000 in prize money.

Speaking to SABC Sport, Smith acknowledged the Gauteng sports ministry for honouring athletes with prize money, stating that it goes a long way to help prepare for their sporting calendar.

"Of course, I am always grateful and I think we as South Africans are always just humble to get anything and I think it's an amazing mindset because we are always grateful but I think it's also a wrong mindset because we have to stand up for what we deserve and we deserve more support," Smith said.

"We definitely don't just deserve the celebration, we deserve the consistency of support throughout the journey. The four years is the toughest part, the part of going to the Olympics is just orchestrating the show that we've been preparing for so that's kind of the easier part.

“So, I really think this just proves, it just shows that behind the celebration there is the financial support too but it shouldn't just be in this moment, it should be throughout the journey so yeah.

“Always grateful but I think there is a space where we can try and make a better, especially relieve that pressure. I think for me as an athlete, it put a lot of pressure on me even though I had parents that financially could help and contribute and got me to where I am today.

“I can't imagine parents that couldn't. So, it's really just if I felt that pressure, how much more are people feeling that don't have that financial support."

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Smith enjoyed a major chapter to her career at the Paris Olympics, competing in the 100m breaststroke and the 200m breaststroke - to secure a gold medal in the 100m breaststroke with a time of 1:05.00 and a silver medal in the 200m breaststroke.

This saw her receive the MEC Special recognition award, alongside fellow Olympic medallists Akani Simbine, Bayanda Walaza and Shaun Maswanganyi amongst others. And she shared this message to Team SA.

"I would definitely say congratulations, you guys deserve it and I think not only just the medal winners, I think everyone that competes at the Olympic games. There's so few of the world's population that actually gets to make it and just being able to go out there and stand in front of those crowds and give your best is honestly like I take my hat off,” she added.

“So, I wish we can all celebrate together but for those that were there, I'm truly honoured to be amongst greatness and upcoming greatness. So, I'm just excited to see what the future holds for them."