Olympic Champion Tatjana Smith Announces Switch to Represent Netherlands

Double Olympic gold medallist Tatjana Smith has announced she will compete for the Netherlands moving forward, citing the financial and logistical difficulties of sustaining an elite swimming career.

In an emotional video posted to Instagram on Tuesday, South Africa’s most decorated Olympian acknowledged the decision “may disappoint or break the hearts” of some supporters.

“I know that not everyone will understand or agree with my decision,” Smith said, explaining that the move offers “greater high performance support and the potential to build a more sustainable career.”

Smith captured the 100-metre breaststroke title at the 2024 Paris Olympics and, competing as Tatjana Schoenmaker, won the 200-metre breaststroke at the Tokyo Games in 2021. She added silver medals in the 100-metre breaststroke in Tokyo and the 200-metre breaststroke in Paris, establishing herself as South Africa’s most successful Olympic athlete across all sports.

“To South Africa, when I was a little girl, my biggest dream was to represent my country at the Olympics,” Smith said. “I got to live that dream, and it gave me more than I could have ever imagined.”

The 29-year-old holds dual citizenship. “Both countries are a part of who I am,” she said. “But dreams can change as you grow.”

Smith retired after the Paris Games but announced a comeback two months ago targeting the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics — now in Dutch colours rather than South African green and gold.

“This gives me the opportunity to explore another part of my identity and the heritage that I’ve never experienced through sport,” she said, adding that she intends to continue training in South Africa.

Smith emphasised that athletes require a system where they can thrive rather than merely survive. By comparison, fellow South African swimmer Chad le Clos owns four Olympic medals, though only one gold.

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