\n<\/p>\n
Hafez\u2019s revelation came just a couple of hours before Tatjana Smith won Africa\u2019s first gold medal of the Paris 2024 Games, as the South African triumphed in the women\u2019s 100m breaststroke.<\/p>\n
The 27-year-old qualified fastest for the final, and a strong second length saw her win the third Olympic medal of her career in a time of one minute and 5.28 seconds at La Defense Arena.<\/p>\n
“It took a village to get me where I am today,” Smith said.<\/p>\n
“I swam for everyone that has been there for me, that has believed with me, and for my country as well.”<\/p>\n
Smith won 100m breaststroke silver and 200m breaststroke gold<\/a> in Tokyo three years ago while competing under her maiden name of Schoenmaker.<\/p>\n “There is always something to learn out of every race, and for me with Tokyo the only thing I wanted to change was to really just focus on my own race,” she added.<\/p>\n “I gave it my best and I am so grateful that I am walking away with the gold medal.”<\/p>\n Smith, from Johannesburg, will begin the defence of her 200m breaststroke title on Wednesday morning.<\/p>\n However, there was disappointment in the pool for compatriot Peter Coetze, who finished fifth in the men\u2019s 100m backstroke final despite setting a new African record of 52.58 seconds.<\/p>\n Earlier on Monday South Africa\u2019s Alan Hatherly won bronze in the men\u2019s mountain bike cross-country race.<\/p>\n The 28-year-old, who had finished eighth in Tokyo three years ago, crossed the line 11 seconds behind gold medallist Tom Pidcock of Great Britain,<\/a> and two seconds behind second-placed Victor Koretzky of France.<\/p>\n South Africa lead Africa\u2019s medal table on Day 3 of the Games, with one gold and two bronzes.<\/p>\n