I have been [through] ups and downs in my career, but this year has been harder because I hard to work really hard to be here. - Marie Josée Ta Lou-Smith

About Marie Josée Ta Lou-Smith

Gonezie Marie Josée Dominique Ta Lou-Smith (née Ta Lou) (born 18 November 1988) is a Cote'd Ivoiresprinter competing in the 100 metres and 200 m. She finished fourth in the 100 metres and 200 metres finals at the 2016 Olympic Games, missing out on a medal in the 100m by seven-thousandths of a second (0.007). She then won silver medals in the 100 metres and 200 metres at the 2017 World Championships, the latter in the national record time of 22.08 seconds. Her 100 metres best is 10.72 seconds (2022), thus making her the African record holder.