FRESH CHAPTER: Swimming icon Tatjana Smith switches allegiance to the Netherlands ‘to thrive, not just survive’

Four-time Olympic champion Tatjana Smith, previously known as Schoenmaker, has announced her switch to representing the Netherlands in her swimming career. The decision comes after SSA withheld prize money from Smith during her time with South Africa. Smith, who has four Olympic medals, including two golds, stated that she made the move to "thrive, not just survive."

Smith, who holds both South African and Dutch citizenship, expressed gratitude for her time with South Africa but emphasized the need for better support and opportunities for athletes in her sport. She will now focus on the newly added 50m breaststroke event for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, marking the start of her next chapter.