How and why is Tatjana Smith representing the Netherlands?

South Africa’s most decorated swimmer, Tatjana Smith, has made the difficult decision to switch to representing the Netherlands with immediate effect.

This comes after she shared her grievances about her experience with the aquatic national governing body, Swimming South Africa, in a recent interview on Carte Blanche.

The 29-year-old recently returned to competing internationally after a premature retirement in 2024. At the time, the star athlete – whose sister-in-law is Rachel Kolisi – had won one silver and one gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

TATJANA SMITH TO REPRESENT THE NETHERLANDS –  HOW IS SHE ELIGIBLE?

In a bombshell video statement, Tatjana Smith announced that she would be switching national allegiance as a professional swimmer from South Africa to the Netherlands.

The 29-year-old explained that representing the European country could provide her with high-performance support, financial stability, and a more sustainable swimming career.

Tatjana is eligible to represent the country because her father, René, was born in the Netherlands, which grants her both South African and Dutch citizenship.

René moved from Naaldwijk, the Netherlands, to South Africa in 1989, where he met Renske, a South African woman. The couple welcomed two daughters,  Tatjana and her sister Fabienne, in Johannesburg

In 2021, Tatjana’s parents and sibling relocated to the Netherlands, where they now permanently live.

The swimming icon has made it clear that she has neither renounced her South African citizenship nor does she plan to move permanently to the Netherlands. 

She has also emphasised that her decision does not diminish her pride in having represented South Africa.

WHAT HAPPENS TO HER MEDALS?

With confirmation that she will now professionally represent the Netherlands at future competitions, what happens to the medals she has earned for South Africa?

Tatjana Smith has won a large collection of medals, including her Olympic ones, such as 

• Tokyo 2020: Gold – 200m breaststroke.
• Tokyo 2020: Silver – 100m breaststroke.
• Paris 2024: Gold – 100m breaststroke.
• Paris 2024: Silver – 200m breaststroke.

Although she switches allegiances, her medals are not transferable to the Netherlands and remain South African accolades. However, her future results will be credited to the Netherlands.