In Tears, Tatjana Smith Announces Switch to Netherlands

South Africa’s most decorated Olympian, Tatjana Smith, fought back tears as she revealed that she will now compete for the Netherlands.

At 29, Smith claimed four Olympic breaststroke medals, two of them gold, before stepping away from the sport following the Paris 2024 Games.

She returned from retirement in September and is aiming to race the 50m breaststroke as the event makes its Olympic debut at the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.

Smith, whose maiden name was Schoenmaker, wiped away tears while reading an open letter addressed to South Africa, in which she reflected that “dreams can change as we grow”.

She holds dual citizenship through her Dutch father.

Explaining her decision, she said she had “always been Dutch and South African” and described the move as a chance to “explore another part of my identity and heritage that I’ve never experienced through sport”.

She added that the switch would give her “greater high-performance support and the potential to build a more sustainable career”, noting that the “financial and practical challenges of swimming were among the reasons my previous career became difficult to sustain”.

Smith has previously pointed to financial pressures—including a dispute with Swimming South Africa over prize money—as a factor behind her decision to leave the sport.

Swimming South Africa has been approached for comment.

Between 2018 and 2023, Smith captured four world and Commonwealth gold medals.

She won gold in the 200m breaststroke and silver in the 100m at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, before adding 100m gold and 200m silver in 2024.

“Representing South Africa was a childhood dream come true, and it’s a chapter I will always look back on with immense pride and gratitude,” she wrote on social media.

“The people, the memories and everything we achieved together will always be part of me. But dreams can change as we grow.

“This next chapter is about embracing another part of who I am, falling in love with the journey and discovering what more I’m capable of.

“I’m excited for what lies ahead, and I truly hope you’ll continue to be part of the journey with me.”

Smith, who said she will continue to live and train in South Africa, is set to represent the Netherlands for the first time at the short course World Championships from 1–6 December.

She acknowledged that her decision “may disappoint or break the hearts” of some of her supporters.

South Africa’s Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture said it was aware of the “problems at Swimming South Africa”.

“The country was delighted to see her return to the pool, but South Africa does not own her,” the statement read.

“Tatjana’s choice belongs to her and it should not be turned into a political weapon.”

Gayton McKenzie, Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, said: “Every medal, every record and every anthem she gave us belongs to our history forever. We now have to share her with the Netherlands.”

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