South Africa Olympic gold medallist Smith to swim for Netherlands
Tatjana Smith, a South African-Dutch dual citizen, said financial challenges and more opportunities for high-performance support triggered the decision.
Johannesburg - Double Olympic gold medallist Tatjana Smith has announced her intention to represent the Netherlands in international competitions, following her retirement from swimming after the 2024 Paris Games.
Smith, who holds dual South African and Dutch citizenship, cited financial constraints and enhanced performance opportunities in the Netherlands as the driving forces behind her decision. She won the 200m and 100m breaststroke events at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, delaying one year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and secured two silver medals at the 2024 Paris Games.
With a record of being the most decorated South African Olympian, Smith expressed her heartfelt gratitude for representing her country at the highest level. She acknowledged that competing for the Netherlands would open new doors for her in terms of exploring her heritage and building a more sustainable career.
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