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South Africa’s most decorated Olympic athlete Tatjana Smith is changing nations to compete for the Netherlands, a decision she acknowledged Tuesday “may disappoint or break the hearts” of some supporters.
Two-time Olympic swimming champion Smith said in a sometimes tearful video message posted on Instagram: “I’ve decided to swim for the Netherlands.”
“I know that not everyone will understand or agree with my decision,” she said, citing “financial and practical challenges” that can make a swimming career difficult to sustain.
Smith won the 100 breaststroke title at the 2024 Paris Olympics and, as Tatjana Schoenmaker, the 200 breaststroke at the Tokyo Games held in 2021.
She also took two silvers, in the 100 at Tokyo and the 200 in Paris, to become South Africa’s most successful Olympic athlete.
Swimmer Chad le Clos also has four medals though just one gold.
“Both countries are a part of who I am,” the 29-year-old Smith said. “But dreams can change as you grow.”
She retired from competitive swimming after Paris and announced a comeback two months ago, targeting the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics — now in Dutch orange instead of South African green and gold.
Smith added athletes need a system where they can thrive and not just survive, suggesting she would have “greater high performance support” in future.
She said she would continue training in South Africa.
