South Africa Olympian Tatjana Smith reveals shes…
South Africa’s most embellished Olympic athlete Tatjana Smith is altering nations to compete for the Netherlands, a resolution 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 could make a swimming profession tough to maintain.
Four-time Olympic medalist Tatjana Smith has announced she is going to swap nations to swim for the Netherlands at the 2028 Los Angeles Games. Getty Images
Smith gained 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 change into South Africa’s most profitable Olympic athlete.
Swimmer Chad le Clos also has 4 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 aggressive swimming after Paris and announced a comeback two months in the past, concentrating on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics — now in Dutch orange instead of South African inexperienced and gold.
Smith added athletes need a system where they’ll thrive and not just survive, suggesting she would have “greater high performance support” in future.
Smith, of South Africa, celebrates profitable the ladies’s 100-meter breaststroke at the Summer Olympics in Nanterre, France, on July 29, 2024. AP Photo/Ashley Landis
Smith is altering nations to compete for the Netherlands. @tatjanaschoen/Instagram
She said she would continue training in South Africa.
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