# South African swimmer Tatjana Smith switches allegiance to Netherlands

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/south-african-swimmer-tatjana-smith-switches-allegiance-to-netherlands/
- Published: 2026-11-11T05:52:28+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-11T06:23:57+00:00
- Original publisher: Al Jazeera (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2026/11/11/south-african-swimmer-tatjana-smith-switches-allegiance-to-netherlands?traffic_source=rss
- Topics: Africa, World

## Key points

- Tatjana Smith will swim for the Netherlands.
- She is targeting the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
- She cited better support and a more sustainable career.

## Summary

Tatjana Smith, South Africa’s most decorated Olympic athlete, says she will compete for the Netherlands after returning from retirement. She cited financial and practical challenges in sustaining a swimming career, and said the move could give her stronger performance support as she targets the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Smith, 29, holds dual citizenship and said both countries are part of her identity; she will continue training in South Africa. She won two Olympic golds and two silvers: the 200-metre breaststroke in Tokyo in 2021 and the 100 metres in Paris in 2024, plus silver in the other breaststroke event at each Games. She retired after Paris and announced her comeback two months ago.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.