South African swimmer Tatjana Smith to compete for the Netherlands
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Business Day (South Africa)
South Africa’s most decorated swimmer, Tatjana Smith, has announced she will now represent the Netherlands, of which she also holds citizenship, at the LA 2028 Olympics. Her first competition under the Dutch flag will be the short-course world championships in Beijing, from 1 to 6 December, according to a statement reported by Business Day.
South African swimmer Tatjana Smith, the country’s most decorated Olympic athlete, announced on Tuesday in a statement that she will now represent the Netherlands and aim for the Los Angeles 2028 Games under the Dutch flag, according to Business Day.
Holding both South African and Dutch nationalities, Tatjana Smith won two gold and two silver medals at the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Games. Her first international competition in Dutch colours will be the short-course world championships in Beijing, from 1 to 6 December. She will remain based in South Africa and will continue to train with the team that has supported her since her early career.
Chad le Clos, the only other South African to have won four Olympic medals, was named on Tuesday vice-captain of the South African team for the same championships, alongside veteran Erin Gallagher.
