At a Glance
- Marie Josée Ta Lou-Smith holds the African 100m record at 10.72 seconds, ranking among world’s fastest sprinters.
- She won silver and bronze medals at the World Championships, proving enduring consistency.
- The Ivorian athlete advocates for athletes’ rights, challenging poor conditions and promoting progress.
Marie Josée Ta Lou-Smith is not just the fastest African woman in history—she’s a symbol of resilience and excellence on the global track. At 35, the Ivorian sprint star has broken records, stood on world championship podiums, and inspired a generation of athletes across the continent.
But Ta Lou-Smith’s impact stretches far beyond medals; she is also a vocal advocate for better conditions and greater inclusion in sport.
From Koumassi’s streets to the world stage
Born in Abidjan’s Koumassi neighborhood on November 18, 1988, Ta Lou first dreamed of playing professional football.
Her path shifted in 2008 when her brother encouraged her to try athletics, and she stunned everyone by outrunning seasoned sprinters—barefoot—at her first trial.
Her early years were marked by steady progress, balancing training and studies before fully dedicating herself to the track.
Emerging as Africa’s fastest woman
Ta Lou’s breakthrough came at the 2015 World Championships, reaching semi-finals in both sprints.
At the 2016 Rio Olympics, she placed an agonizing fourth in both the 100m and 200m finals—missing bronze by hundredths of a second—but signaled her arrival among the world’s elite.
She claimed her first global medals at the 2017 World Championships in London, winning silver in the 100m and 200m, and added a 100m bronze at the 2019 Worlds in Doha.
Smashing records and sustaining excellence
In 2022, Ta Lou-Smith set the African 100m record at 10.72 seconds, becoming the eighth-fastest woman ever.
She has won multiple African Championships titles and triumphed on the Diamond League circuit, maintaining remarkable consistency through her 30s.
Her performances at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics included another fourth-place finish, cementing her reputation as one of the most enduring sprinters of her era.
A voice for athletes
Beyond competition, Ta Lou-Smith is unafraid to speak out. In 2024, she withdrew from the African Championships to protest substandard athlete facilities—a rare public stand that underscored her commitment to progress.
Style, strengths & recognition
Known for her lightning starts, smooth mechanics, and unflinching focus, Shore Africa gathered that Ta Lou-Smith combines power and poise at top speed.
She has been recognized by the IAAF, Olympic Solidarity, and numerous African sports bodies for her trailblazing achievements.
Legacy and inspiration
Despite injuries and rising rivals, Ta Lou-Smith remains determined to keep inspiring young African athletes—particularly girls—to believe that talent and dedication can overcome any barrier.
Her message is clear: “Dream big and work relentlessly—nothing is out of reach.”
Changing the narrative
With every record broken and every finish-line celebration, Marie Josée Ta Lou-Smith redefines what is possible for African sprinters.
She stands as proof that courage and conviction can transform adversity into greatness—one stride at a time.
