South Africa's Tatjana Smith pictured during the final of the women's 100m breaststroke swimming event. South Africa's Tatjana Smith pictured during the final of the women's 100m breaststroke swimming event. Picture: Oli Scarff / AFP
The bronze medallist from the Rio 2016 Games Henri Schoeman will have another crack at Olympic glory on Wednesday after the men's and women's triathlon events were given in the green light.
The men's event at the Paris Olympics on Tuesday had been postponed because of pollution in the Seine river.
“The parties involved have confirmed that the women's triathlon and the men's triathlon will take place as planned. The results of the latest water analyses have been deemed to be in order,” said a statement in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Schoeman produced a memorable performance in Brazil, finishing third in a time of 1 hour, 45 minutes and 43 seconds (1:45.43). However, he wasn’t at his best in Tokyo after knee and ankle injuries in the build up to the event forced him to withdraw during the 10km run
Schoeman will compete with compatriot Jamie Riddle for a medal in the 1.5km swim, 40km cycle and 10km run.
In the women’s triathlon, which starts at 8am, Vicky van der Merwe will carry South Africa’s hopes of a medal.
Meanwhile, Team SA’s golden girl Tatjana Smith is back in action in the pool less than two days after winning the 100m breaststroke Olympic title on Monday night.
Congratulations to our repeat Olympic champion, Tatjana Smith, for earning South Africa’s first #gold medal at #Paris2024 with her stunning surge in the 100m breaststroke in the Paris La Defense Arena pool.
— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿![CDATA[]]>🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) July 29, 2024
Congratulations too to mountain biker Alan Hatherly for collecting… pic.twitter.com/Fa2WUhdvli
Smith is targeting a rare double in the breaststroke, a feat that only fellow South African Penny Heyns has achieved during the 1996 Olympics Games in Atlanta.
Elsewhere, rowers John Smith and Christopher Baxter will also be in action on Wednesday morning in the semi-finals of the men’s pairs.
Triathlon
Women's Individual, 8am: Vicky van der Merwe
Men's Individual, 10.45am: Henri Schoeman, Jamie Riddle
Rowing
Women's singles scull semi-finals (13th to 24th position), 10.24am: Paige Badenhorst.
Men's pair, semi-final A/B, 10.34am: John Smith and Christopher Baxter
Swimming
Women's 200m breaststroke heats, 11pm: Tatjana Smith, Kaylene Corbett
Men's 200m backstroke heats, 11.27am: Pieter Coetze
Archery
Men's individual 1/32, 7:16pm: Wiaan Roux vs Je Deok Kim (Kor)
Hockey
Women, 10.30am: South Africa vs Great Britain
Men, 7.45pm: South Africa vs Spain
@JohnGoliath82