South Africa’s most decorated Olympian, Tatjana Smith, has made an emotional announcement today, switching her sporting allegiance to the Netherlands after World Aquatics approved her change of nationality.
The two-time Olympic gold medallist and two-time silver medallist is now eligible to represent the Netherlands, with her sights set on competing at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
Despite the change, Smith, who has dual nationality, will remain based in South Africa and continue training with her long-time coaching team. She will also continue supporting local athletes through the Lighthouse Sport Foundation.
The announcement comes amid renewed scrutiny of Swimming South Africa (SSA), following Smith’s revelations about her experiences with the federation in an interview with investigative journalism programme Carte Blanche.
Smith told Carte Blanche that her relationship with Swimming South Africa had been “absent”, saying her success was largely due to the support of her family, coaches and personal support network.
She revealed that approximately R10 million was invested by her family and support group over her 16-year swimming career, with commercial sponsorship only becoming more substantial after the Tokyo Olympics.
Prize money dispute and alleged financial misconduct
Smith also detailed a dispute over prize money earned at the 2023 World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, where she won gold in the 200m breaststroke and silver in the 100m event.
The medals earned her 35-thousand US dollars in prize money. However, she was subsequently presented with an invoice for a proposed 46-thousand-euro fine for not wearing the federation’s prescribed Arena swimming kit.
Smith had competed in a Speedo suit, for which she had a sponsorship agreement.
World Aquatics paid the prize money to Swimming South Africa, which was responsible for transferring it to the athlete. The money was withheld for more than a year, prompting Smith’s legal team to intervene.
The federation subsequently withdrew the fine and paid the prize money, but a further dispute arose over the interest accumulated while the funds were being withheld.
Smith’s legal representatives alleged that an SSA official had described the interest as a management fee. Swimming South Africa later agreed to pay Smith the full amount of interest claimed.
Swimming SA leadership under scrutiny
The revelations come as Swimming South Africa faces wider governance challenges.
Its president, Alan Fritz, and CEO, Shaun Adriaanse, were provisionally suspended by the independent Aquatics Integrity Unit on 24 August 2026.
The suspensions relate to potential violations of the World Aquatics Integrity Code, including alleged abuse of power and the provision of false information and fake documents.
The proceedings are ongoing, and the allegations have not been established as findings of guilt.
Smith’s move to the Netherlands marks a new chapter in her swimming career, although she has made it clear that her connection to South Africa and its swimming community will remain.
She is expected to make her international debut for the Netherlands at the World Short Course Championships in Beijing from 1 to 6 December.
The four-time Olympic medallist won gold in the 200m breaststroke at Tokyo 2020 and the 100m breaststroke at Paris 2024, adding silver medals in both events at the respective Games.
South Africa’s most decorated Olympian, Tatjana Smith, has officially switched sporting allegiance to the Netherlands after World Aquatics approved her change of nationality.
🥇🥇 Olympic gold medals
🥈🥈 Olympic silver medals
🇿🇦 A South African legendWhile she will now compete in Dutch colours and target LA 2028, Smith will remain based in South Africa, continue training with her long-time coaches, and support local athletes through the Lighthouse Sport Foundation.
👉 A new flag, but an enduring legacy in South African sport. 💚💛
@robertmarawa
#TatjanaSmith #Olympics #Swimming #SouthAfrica #Netherlands 🏊♀️✨
— Marawa Sports Worldwide (@MarawaSportShow) November 10, 2026
