Olympic 200m breaststroke golden girl Tatjana Schoenmaker arrived back in the country on Monday afternoon and flashed the biggest of smiles as she emerged from the international arrivals terminals at OR Tambo International Airport.
“I don’t think I’ve ever put anybody through hell like I did with Tatjana in my 30 years of coaching,” said the ecstatic coach. “It has been five years of hell for her and I felt terrible watching her go through that.
Meiring described his swimming sensation as a soldier of war, and added that he only had to do so much before Schoenmaker’s talent eventually saw her through. Sports minister Mthethwa showered Schoenmaker with praise and thanked the swimmer for carrying the hopes of the nation on her small shoulders. “This is not just an ordinary win. You have set the standard and record for the whole world. [Everybody] will be following in your footsteps.”Simelane said Schoenmaker will be celebrated by generations to come.Swimming SA president Allan Fritz said the sport — a code that has always delivered the golden goods for Team SA — needs more sponsors to come on board to help it get more medals in Paris in three years' time.
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