Rocco Meiring pays tribute to Tatjana Smith

Smith called time on her competitive career following the Paris Olympics last year, where she secured gold and silver medals, and has since been shortlisted for the Sportswoman of the Year award alongside Laura Wolvaardt and Tasneem Solomons.

The awards will be hosted at Sun City on 24 August, and Meiring believes her journey has already inspired the likes of Pieter Coetze, who witnessed her achievements firsthand.

"All that I can tell you is what I told her, which is that I am very happy for her. The legacy that she left behind is already starting to bear fruit and manifest in other swimmers like Pieter Coetze."

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The former National Coach of the Year told SABC Sport that Pieter Coetze, who earned three medals at the World Championships in Singapore, might not have reached such heights without the motivation and example set by Tatjana Smith.

He also pointed to swimming greats Cameron van der Burgh and Chad le Clos as exemplary figures for the next generation.

Based at the University of Pretoria, Meiring said he always believed Smith had the ability to break the world record, but his coaching philosophy was never about chasing awards.

His mission was to mould her into one of the world’s finest swimmers — and now, she can walk away with South Africa’s most coveted sporting honour later this month.

"She didn't race for awards like the 'Sports Women of the Year' or anything like that, these awards and nominations are all about recognition. 

"In 2017, I believed and told her that she could break the world record because I saw her star potential."

Meiring, part of the South African swimming coaching team, told the national broadcaster that Smith, who is focusing on starting a family and pursuing a career beyond swimming, has opted to remain out of the public spotlight since retiring.

He added that her introverted nature has made this a natural choice.