Powering performance, Tatjana Smith’s call for sports tech

Lea Hogg September 16, 2024

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Powering performance, Tatjana Smith’s call for sports tech

Tatjana Smith, South Africa’s most decorated Olympian, has always been known for her talent and dedication. Now, she’s championing another essential aspect of modern athletics: technology. After her return from the Paris Olympic Games, Smith spoke at an event at Under Armour’s Brand Icon House in Sandton City, where she highlighted the role tech plays in maximizing athletic potential.

Smith has seen first-hand how technology can transform an athlete’s confidence. “It’s crucial to have touchpads that accurately record one’s time,” she explained. For elite athletes, every millisecond counts. Having narrowly missed the 2016 Olympics by just a split second, Smith understands how vital precise timing systems are.

However, she points to a significant gap in South Africa’s access to cutting-edge sports technology. “We don’t have the technologies other countries do,” she shared. Smith believes access to better tools, like video analysis systems, would boost the confidence and performance of South African athletes.

Her comments reflect a broader issue: sports technology in South Africa lags behind wealthier nations. While countries with advanced tech give their athletes a competitive edge, many South African sportspeople are left with outdated or insufficient resources. Smith is advocating for greater investment in tools that will enable athletes to reach their full potential.

Tech elevating sports performance

Smith’s partnership with Under Armour has also been instrumental in her success. Off the swimming pool, she credits UA’s TriBase training shoes for helping her stay grounded during weightlifting, a crucial part of her off-pool regimen. The emphasis Under Armour places on innovation aligns with her focus on performance enhancement.

As Lorrianne Cloete, Under Armour’s brand lead in South Africa, noted, “Tatjana’s achievements are a reflection of Under Armour’s commitment to pushing athletes beyond their limits.” The brand’s focus on technology mirrors Smith’s belief that the right gear can make a world of difference.

Smith’s career highlights how talent, determination, and access to technology can elevate athletes to new heights. For South African sports to stay competitive globally, investment in advanced equipment is just as important as training and coaching.

“It was telling that we don’t need technology to perform, but if we have it, imagine how much more we could achieve,” Smith said, on the potential that remains untapped in South African sports. With her advocacy, perhaps that will soon change.