South African swimmer Tatjana Smith switches allegiance to the Netherlands

South Africa's most decorated Olympic swimmer, 29‑year‑old Tatjana Smith, announced on Tuesday via a tear‑filled Instagram video that she will represent the Netherlands, with her first Dutch appearance set for the short‑course World Championships in Dubai from 1 to 6 December.

Smith, who retired after the Paris 2024 Games, returned to competition in September and is now targeting the 50m breaststroke, which will debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. She has won four Olympic breaststroke medals – gold in the 100m at Paris 2024 and gold in the 200m at the Tokyo 2021 Games, plus silver in the 100m at Tokyo and silver in the 200m at Paris – making her South Africa's most successful Olympic athlete. The swimmer also claimed four world and Commonwealth gold medals between 2018 and 2023.

She holds dual citizenship through her Dutch father and will continue to live and train in South Africa, while saying the move offers "greater high performance support" and a more sustainable career. Swimming South Africa was approached for comment but has not responded.

"I've decided to swim for the Netherlands," Smith said in the video, adding "I know that not everyone will understand or agree with my decision" and citing "financial and practical challenges" that can make a swimming career difficult to sustain. She explained, "Both countries are a part of who I am. But dreams can change as we grow," and described the switch as an opportunity to "explore another part of my identity and the heritage I've never experienced through sport".