South Africa Olympic gold medallist Smith to swim for Netherlands

Double Olympic Games women’s swimming gold medallist Tatjana Smith said on Tuesday she is switching her international allegiance from South Africa to the Netherlands.

The 29-year-old, who holds South African and Dutch citizenship, said financial challenges and more opportunities for high-performance support triggered the decision.

Smith won the 200 metres breaststroke at the 2020 Tokyo Games, which were delayed one year by the Covid-19 pandemic, and the 100 metres breaststroke at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

She also won two silver medals in the pool, making the Johannesburg-born swimmer the most decorated South African Olympian.

Smith retired after the Paris Games, but changed her mind this year with an eye on competing at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

“When I was a little girl, my biggest dream was to represent my country (South Africa) at the Olympics,” she said in a video posted to social media.

“I got to live that dream and it gave me more than I could have ever imagined.

“This gives me the opportunity to explore another part of my identity and the heritage that I have never experienced through sport.

“The opportunity also offers greater high performance support and the potential to build a more sustainable career,” she added.