Two-time Olympic swimming champion Tatjana Smith will represent the Netherlands internationally after switching her sporting nationality from South Africa. She announced the decision on Tuesday.
The breaststroke specialist holds both South African and Dutch citizenship. She is targeting the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games as part of her return to elite competition.
Smith will make her Dutch debut at the World Aquatics Swimming Championships in a 25-meter pool in Beijing. The competition runs from December 1 to December 6.
"I’ve made the decision to represent the Netherlands in the next chapter of my swimming career," Smith wrote in a post on Instagram.
"Representing South Africa was a childhood dream come true, and it’s a chapter I will always look back on with immense pride and gratitude," she added.
World Aquatics has confirmed the change of sporting nationality, according to a statement released by her team. Her profile on the governing body’s website now lists the Netherlands as her country.
Previously competing under her maiden name, Schoenmaker, Smith won the 200-meter breaststroke gold in a then-world-record time at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. She also claimed silver in the 100 meters at the same games.
At the Paris Games, she won gold in the 100-meter breaststroke and silver in the 200 meters. These victories brought her total Olympic medal count to four.
Smith retired following the Paris event but returned to competition in September. The addition of the 50-meter breaststroke to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic program provided a new competitive target for the athlete.
The decision also reflects her family ties to the Netherlands. Her father was born in the Dutch town of Naaldwijk, and she has described both countries as part of her identity.
Smith will remain based in South Africa and continue training with her existing team. She will join Dutch swimmers for international competitions and training camps, according to her team’s statement.
