South Africa's most successful Olympian, Tatjana Smith, has announced her return to competitive swimming after a two-year retirement. Smith, now 29, had stepped away from the sport following the Paris Games, where she won gold in the 200m breaststroke, adding to her 100m title from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. She described having "lost the love" for swimming before retiring in 2024 but now says she is "free from the things that made me hate swimming." Smith explained that she had previously felt like a "robot" when it came to swimming, so focused on training that she had no time for other interests. While many might see retiring after an Olympic success as a poor decision, Smith believes it was necessary for her well-being at the time. She has earned four Olympic medals for South Africa, matching the total of fellow swimmer Chad le Clos. Financial concerns played a role in her decision to retire. Smith cited disputes with Swimming South Africa over prize money and the pressure of performance-based sponsorships as factors in her exit from the sport. She noted that the system often didn't prioritize the needs of athletes, which added to the stress of competing at the highest level. Smith, who changed her surname to Smith after marrying sports agent Joel Smith in 2023, now finds herself part of a broader South African sporting family. Her sister-in-law is Rachel Smith, previously married to Springboks captain Siya Kolisi. Smith said her marriage changed her perspective on the future, especially regarding family planning. She acknowledged the challenges of balancing an athletic career with potential family life. After retiring, Smith took on speaking engagements to support herself, though she admitted she dislikes public speaking. She returned to swimming to stay fit and even tried triathlon, which she called a "crazy idea." However, she found herself missing the feeling of swimming and gradually realized she still loved the sport. Smith is now preparing for a potential return to competition, focusing on the newly added 50m breaststroke event at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. She plans to reduce her training volume significantly, from eight sessions a week to three, to maintain her love for swimming and live a more balanced life. She acknowledges that her body is better suited for endurance rather than the explosive power required for the shorter distance. Smith emphasized that her return to swimming is her own decision, made on her terms, and that she has achieved more than she ever dreamed.