South Africa’s most decorated Olympian says the move will give her access to stronger high-performance support and a more sustainable swimming career as she targets the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics
Two-time Olympic swimming champion Tatjana Smith has switched her sporting allegiance from South Africa to the Netherlands, bringing her international career under the South African flag to an end.
An emotional announcement
The 29-year-old announced the decision on Nov. 10 in an emotional video shared on Instagram, explaining that the move would allow her to reconnect with her Dutch heritage while accessing greater support to continue competing at the highest level.
Why she made the switch
Smith holds dual South African and Dutch citizenship through her Dutch father.
She said the decision was influenced partly by the financial and practical difficulties of sustaining a professional swimming career, adding that the Dutch system offered the prospect of more high-performance support and greater long-term stability.
SA’s most decorated Olympian
The swimmer won four Olympic medals for SA, making her the country’s most decorated Olympian.
Competing as Tatjana Schoenmaker at the Tokyo 2020 Games, held in 2021, she won gold in the 200-meter breaststroke and silver in the 100 meters. At Paris 2024, she claimed gold in the 100 meters and silver in the 200-meter breaststroke.
Comeback with LA 2028 in sight
Smith retired after the Paris Olympics but announced her return to competitive swimming in September 2026, setting her sights on the 2028 Los Angeles Games. The 50-meter breaststroke is scheduled to make its Olympic debut at the event, offering her a new target in the sport.
First Dutch assignment in Beijing
World Aquatics has approved her change of sporting nationality, clearing her to compete for the Netherlands. Her first international assignment under the Dutch flag is expected to be the World Aquatics Short Course Championships in Beijing from Dec. 1 to 6.
Despite the switch, Smith intends to remain in SA, where she will continue living and training. She has also expressed gratitude to the South African swimming community, saying the decision does not diminish what she achieved representing her country.
