South Africa’s most decorated Olympic athlete, Tatjana Smith, has announced that she will represent the Netherlands in international swimming competitions, marking a major change in her sporting career as she prepares for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
The 29-year-old swimmer made the announcement on 10 November 2026, explaining that her decision was influenced by her Dutch heritage, financial challenges and the opportunity to access better high-performance support.
Smith, who holds dual South African and Dutch citizenship, said that representing the Netherlands would allow her to explore an important part of her identity while pursuing her swimming ambitions in a more sustainable sporting environment.
A Remarkable Olympic Career
Smith, previously known as Tatjana Schoenmaker, made history at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, held in 2021, where she won gold in the 200-metre breaststroke with a world-record time of 2:18.95. She also secured silver in the 100-metre event.
At the 2024 Paris Olympics, she added another gold medal in the 100-metre breaststroke and silver in the 200-metre event.
Her four Olympic medals, consisting of two gold and two silver, established her as South Africa’s most decorated Olympian by total medal count.
Retirement And Comeback
Following the Paris Olympics, Smith announced her retirement from competitive swimming in 2024. However, she surprised supporters in September 2026 by confirming her return, setting her sights on the 2028 Olympic Games.
She has since focused on the 50-metre breaststroke, a new Olympic event for Los Angeles 2028, and demonstrated her competitive form by winning the national title at the South African Short Course Championships in Pietermaritzburg.
Her change of allegiance means she will now pursue her Olympic ambitions under the Dutch flag.
Financial Challenges And Future Plans
Smith’s decision also comes after difficulties involving Swimming South Africa, including a dispute over prize money from her 2023 World Aquatics Championships victory. The organisation withheld approximately US$35,000 following concerns about her competition attire. Although the prize money was eventually paid, a further dispute arose over accumulated interest.
Despite the change, Smith intends to continue living and training in South Africa while joining the Dutch team for international competitions and training camps.
Her first international assignment representing the Netherlands is expected to be the World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25m) in Beijing, China, from 1 to 6 December 2026.
Smith’s decision marks the beginning of a new chapter for the Olympic champion. Although she will no longer compete internationally for South Africa, her achievements and contribution to the country’s sporting history will remain unforgettable.
Main image: News24
