Marie Josée Ta Lou-Smith

Marie Josée Ta Lou-Smith, born on 18 November 1988, is a distinguished Ivorian sprinter renowned for her prowess in the 100 metres and 200 metres events. With a remarkable career that has seen her become a two-time World Championships medalist, she holds the African record in the 100 m, showcasing her exceptional talent on the global stage.

Initially drawn to association football, Ta Lou-Smith made a pivotal transition to sprinting in 2008. Her breakthrough came at the 2015 World Championships, where she reached the semi-finals in both the 100 m and 200 m, setting personal bests that marked the beginning of her ascent in athletics. The 2016 Summer Olympics saw her narrowly miss the podium, finishing fourth in both events while achieving five personal bests throughout the competition.

In 2017, Ta Lou-Smith's hard work paid off as she clinched her first global medal, earning silver in the 100 m at the World Championships. She continued to excel, securing a bronze medal in the same event at the 2019 World Championships. Her Olympic journey continued in 2020, where she again finished fourth in the 100 m and fifth in the 200 m, solidifying her reputation as one of the most consistent sprinters in the world.

Ta Lou-Smith's success extends to continental competitions, where she has triumphed at the African Athletics Championships, winning three gold medals in the 200 m in 2016 and 2018, and the 100 m in 2018. Additionally, she has claimed gold in both the 100 m and 200 m at the All-Africa Games in 2015, and again in the 100 m in 2019.

With a personal best of 10.72 seconds in the 100 m, Ta Lou-Smith is celebrated as the eighth-fastest woman and the fastest African woman of all time. She also holds the Ivorian record in the 200 m and the African record in the rarely-run straight 150 m, further establishing her legacy in the world of athletics.