Tatjana Smith dedicates Team SA's first gold medal to Mzansi

The 27-year-old swimmer overcame a slow start to finish with a time of 1.05.28, clinching Team SA's first gold medal and taking the overall tally to three medals at the Olympic Games in Paris.

Smith, who will receive R400 000, and her coach another R100 000 in line with SASCOC's bonus structure, .

"I don't think anyone can explain it, but like I said last night as well, the emotions for me were really because it took a village to get me where I am today," said Smith.

"I know they would have been proud, even if I didn't get a medal, but it was really for them. I swam for everyone that's been there for me, that's believed with me.

"And for our country as well – our hashtag is 'For My Country', and it really is, it's just to inspire someone at home to know that they don't have to disqualify themselves from the race, they could also potentially be an Olympic champion."

Having won a silver medal in the same event at the Tokyo Olympics three years ago, this time, Smith says she used the valuable lessons to go one step further and clinch gold in Paris.

"There's always something to learn out of every race, and I think Tokyo was for me – the only thing I wanted to change was really just to focus on my own race, and I really just did that," she added.

"So, even if I didn't get a medal, I would have been really happy with that because there are things that you want to do and bet on yourself, and I gave it my best so I'm so grateful that I am walking away with a gold medal."

READ: Brave Pieter Coetze breaks African record in Paris again