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| Tatjana Smith, then known as Tatjana Schoenmaker, poolside in a photograph released in October 2021. Credit: Discovery Limited/handout. |
Olympic swimming champion Tatjana Smith has switched her international allegiance from South Africa to the Netherlands, citing the prospect of stronger support for her career as she works towards another appearance at the Games.
The decision has prompted competing reactions over national loyalty and the conditions facing South African athletes. In its report on the announcement, Al Jazeera English featured criticism of the change alongside arguments that the country must provide more consistent backing for its swimmers.
Smith, 29, announced her decision on Tuesday, 10 November. She holds both South African and Dutch citizenship and plans to compete under the Dutch flag at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
In her video message, she said: "I've decided to swim for the Netherlands."
She acknowledged that the announcement would draw objections, saying: "I know that not everyone will understand or agree with my decision."
Smith said the decision reflected her plans for the next stage of her career.
"I could spend hours trying to explain it, justify it, or convince everyone why I made this choice. But at the end of the day, this is a decision I've had to make for myself and my future."
Her explanation extended beyond the flag she would represent. According to AFP’s account of her announcement, Smith identified financial difficulties and the prospect of better support for elite competition as factors behind the switch.
She said the opportunity would allow her to build a more sustainable swimming career while exploring her Dutch heritage. Those considerations come after she reversed an earlier decision to retire from the sport.
The response in South Africa has included criticism of her allegiance, while other contributors to Al Jazeera’s report directed their concerns towards the support available to athletes. The contrasting reactions place her personal decision within a wider discussion about retaining competitors who succeed internationally.
South Africa’s Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie has defended her right to choose the next stage of her career. In a statement issued after the announcement, he wished her success and opposed attempts to turn the decision into a political dispute.
McKenzie also said the change would not diminish the achievements she recorded for South Africa.
"Nothing can erase what Tatjana has achieved for South Africa," he said.
The minister has separately acknowledged concerns surrounding Swimming South Africa. TimesLIVE reported that he referred to a reform process involving World Aquatics oversight and said his department would continue monitoring it.
He also distinguished government funding from the management of sporting federations. Federations must account for public money they receive, he said, but their leadership remains responsible for administration, financial sustainability and securing partners to meet competition costs.
The Royal Dutch Swimming Federation, KNZB, has confirmed that Smith will make her first appearance for the Netherlands at the World Aquatics Swimming Championships in a 25-metre pool in Beijing from 1 to 6 December.
Her World Aquatics athlete profile now lists her nationality as the Netherlands, using the country code NED.
Smith’s family connections provide the background to her dual nationality. According to the Dutch federation, her mother is South African and her father comes from Naaldwijk in the Netherlands. He moved to South Africa in 1989, while her parents have lived in the Netherlands since 2021.
The switch follows her return to racing after the Paris Olympics. She retired in 2024 but resumed competition at South Africa’s national short-course championships in September 2026, winning the 50-metre breaststroke.
She subsequently competed at the Dutch Qualifiers in Rotterdam in October, winning the 50m, 100m and 200m breaststroke events. The federation said she set championship records in all three races.
Her Olympic record spans two Games. Competing under her maiden name, Tatjana Schoenmaker, she won the 200m breaststroke in Tokyo in 2021, when the postponed 2020 Olympics took place. She also collected silver in the 100m event.
In Paris in 2024, she reversed those results, taking gold over 100m and silver over 200m. The four medals, including two golds, made her South Africa’s most decorated Olympian.
The change of international team will not involve an immediate departure from her South African training base. Her team’s statement, reported by TimesLIVE, said she would remain in South Africa and continue working with the team that had supported her career.
She will join Dutch swimmers for international competitions and training camps while maintaining that training arrangement.
Smith ended her video message by asking supporters to remain with her as she changes national colours.
"I truly hope you'll continue to be part of this journey with me, even if it means occasionally swapping the green and gold for a little orange."