Tatjana Smith raced for a Dutch club in Rotterdam before she announced her switch from South Africa to the Netherlands. IOL Sport reported that the two-time Olympic champion swam at the Dutch qualifiers before Tuesday’s formal announcement.
Her change of nationality had not yet been finalised or made public at the time. She entered the meet through local club Zwemvereniging Westland.
Smith set championship records in all three breaststroke finals. She swam 29.54 seconds in the 50m, 1:03.92 in the 100m and 2:19.96 in the 200m.
Those times were inside the qualifying marks for the World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25m) in Beijing. World Aquatics has since ratified her transfer.
“Both South Africa and the Netherlands have always been part of who I am,” Smith said. “At the beginning of my career I chose South Africa, a decision I will always treasure.”
She said the move gave her the chance to explore “another part of my identity and the heritage that I’ve never experienced through sport”.
Smith, born Schoenmaker, holds Dutch citizenship by birth through her father, René Schoenmaker. He is from Naaldwijk in the Westland region of South Holland and moved to South Africa in 1989.
Her parents returned to live in Honselersdijk in 2021. Her younger sister, Fabiënne, also lives in the Netherlands.
The Royal Dutch Swimming Federation, known as the KNZB, welcomed the four-time Olympic medallist. Technical director Sjors Lommerts said the federation was “incredibly proud” to support her.
Dutch media, including national broadcaster NOS, linked her move to problems at Swimming South Africa (SSA). According to IOL Sport, the reports pointed to withheld prize money, disputed kit deals and intimidation of athletes.
Former Olympic champion Roland Schoeman blamed SSA in a post on X. “Well done, @SwimSouthAfrica. Another world-class swimmer choosing to leave South Africa to pursue the career she deserves,” Schoeman wrote.
“And you’ve got athletes being asked to pay R55,000 just to represent their country. What an absolute disgrace,” he added. Schoeman asked how many more athletes the country must lose before the federation and its board are held accountable.
Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie responded to criticism that state neglect played a part in her leaving. He said Smith had told him herself before she made the announcement.
“Tatjana’s choice belongs to her and it should not be turned into a political weapon,” the department said.
The department said national federations are independent of government. It said a federation must account for any money the department gives it. “The department does not run federations, and it cannot take on all of their costs,” it said.
“Nothing can erase what Tatjana has achieved for South Africa,” McKenzie said. “Every medal, every record and every anthem she gave us belongs to our history forever.”
Smith, 29, is cleared to make her debut for the Netherlands at the short-course championships in Beijing. The event runs from 1 to 6 December.
Source: this article is based on reporting by IOL Sport. Image: IOL Sport. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice Sports desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Tiyani Mathebula writes about sport for Tzaneen Voice. Tiyani covers Bafana Bafana, the Springboks, the Proteas and the PSL, along with athletics, tennis and local club sport. Match reports and previews focus on results, team news, fixtures and what each game means for South African teams and fans.