Tatjana breaks silence: Why I’m representing the Netherlands [video]

Tatjana Smith has broken her silence on her bombshell decision to represent the Netherlands after switching her sporting nationality.

The South African swimmer made headlines this week after she revealed that she would be representing the European country, to which she has dual citizenship.

This follows her sharing her grievances with Swimming South Africa (SSA).

TATJANA SMITH: WHY I CHOSE THE NETHERLANDS

In an interview with SwimSwam, Tatjana Smith set the record straight on why she chose to switch sporting nationalities.

The 29-year-old explained that she held dual citizenship because her father was a citizen of the Netherlands.

“The reality is that it was always an option”, she said.

Tatjana explained that she chose to represent South Africa when her career kicked off in 2017.

She continued: “My heart was in for South Africa.  Without hesitation, I went the South African route, knowing the system was the way it was. I didn’t think it was going to be the easier route.

“I wanted to prove that we can do it from South Africa, even though we have everything basically going against us. We just have that resilience in us”.

Because she hadn’t competed for the country since her retirement announcement at the Paris Olympics, she was now eligible to represent the Netherlands.

Despite her “love and pride”, Tatjana Smith detailed the financial, practical, and emotional “burdens” she faced in the South.

Since switching nationalities, the Olympic gold-medallist stated that she was impressed with how the Dutch prioritised their athletes’ wellbeing

She said: “Off the bat, I can already feel the difference and changes. I don’t have to self-fund my way to get to World Championships”

THANKING SOUTH AFRICANS

On her social media platforms, Tatjana Smith thanked South Africans for their encouragement and support following her decision.

It means the world to know that I have this support for the next chapter

Tatjana added that she felt “able to breathe and enjoy the sport that I love for a few more years”.