[Tatjana Smith Announces Move from South Africa to the Netherlands]
South Africa’s most decorated Olympian, Tatjana Smith, has recently announced her decision to switch allegiance to the Netherlands.
The 29-year-old achieved four Olympic breaststroke medals, including two golds, before retiring following the Paris 2024 Games.
She returned to competition in September and aims to represent the Netherlands in the women’s 50m breaststroke at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, a debut event for the format.
Smith, formerly known as Schoenmaker, openly expressed her emotions while reading a letter to South Africa, stating that “dreams can change as we grow.”
Possessing dual citizenship due to her Dutch father, Smith described herself as always being Dutch and South African, adding that the move represents an opportunity to explore another dimension of her identity and heritage previously untapped through sport.
She highlighted that the new environment will provide enhanced high-performance support and the prospect of building a more sustainable career, as financial and practical swimming challenges had contributed to her previous career difficulties.
Earlier, Smith indicated that financial concerns, including a dispute with Swimming South Africa over prize money, played a role in her decision to leave the sport.
Swimming South Africa later reached out for comment on the situation.
Throughout her career, Smith secured four world and Commonwealth gold medals between 2018 and 2023.
Her résumé includes Olympic golds in the 200m breaststroke and 100m event at Tokyo 2021, followed by 100m and 200m results at the 2024 Games.
“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 said on social media., external
“The memories of shared achievements and the people involved will remain integral to her, though dreams can evolve as she grows.”
This new chapter centers on embracing a new aspect of her identity, finding joy in the journey and discovering her future capabilities.
Smith, who stated she will continue living and training in South Africa, is set to compete for the Netherlands for the first time at the short course World Championships from December 1 to 6.
She acknowledged that her decision may disappointment some of her supporters.
The South African Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture confirmed awareness of issues within Swimming South Africa.
Smith emphasized that her choice is entirely her own and should not be politicized.
“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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