Tatjana Smith, South Africa’s most decorated Olympian, has joined forces with tech giant HUAWEI in a partnership that marries athletic prowess with cutting-edge technology. The collaboration, announced shortly after Smith’s triumphant performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics, aims to inspire a new generation of athletes and tech enthusiasts alike.
Smith, who clinched gold in the 100m and silver in the 200m breaststroke in Paris, has established herself as a dominant force in swimming. Her achievements include breaking the World, Olympic, and African records in the 200m breaststroke at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (held in 2021), where she also secured a silver medal in the 100m breaststroke.
The partnership between Smith and HUAWEI seems a natural fit, combining the swimmer’s commitment to excellence with the company’s innovative approach to wearable technology. HUAWEI’s growing presence in the fitness device market aligns well with Smith’s athletic background, offering precise tracking of performance and health metrics.
“Swimming has been more than just a sport to me,” Smith explains. “It has contributed to shaping my character and has afforded me the privilege to represent my country and give back to a community that has supported me along the journey.” She views the collaboration with HUAWEI as an extension of her values, citing the company’s commitment to excellence and innovation as key factors in her decision to partner with them.
Peter Feng, General Manager of HUAWEI South Africa Consumer Business Group, echoes this sentiment: “This partnership brings together two champions—Tatjana in the pool and HUAWEI in the tech world—both committed to breaking new ground and inspiring a healthier, more stylish future for South Africans.”
While Smith may be retiring from competitive swimming, her influence in South African sports is far from over. Through this partnership, she aims to continue inspiring the next generation of athletes while promoting the importance of technology in fitness and health monitoring.
HUAWEI’s smartphone and camera technologies are expected to play a significant role in this collaboration, allowing fans to connect with Smith’s journey in vivid detail. The partnership also aligns with HUAWEI’s Fashion Forward brand, emphasising the intersection of style, performance, and health in modern technology.
As Smith transitions from her role as an Olympic athlete to a tech-savvy brand ambassador, this collaboration represents a new chapter in her career. It also signifies HUAWEI’s commitment to partnering with local talent to strengthen its presence in the South African market.
