The four-time Olympic medallist confirmed the decision on Tuesday, admitting that it was not an easy choice, but one she believes will give her the best opportunity to continue pursuing her swimming ambitions.

Smith, who holds both South African and Dutch citizenship, explained that the financial and practical challenges of maintaining a professional swimming career had become increasingly difficult. Representing the Netherlands will offer her greater high-performance support and a more sustainable environment as she sets her sights on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

Tatjana Schoenmaker - Anton Geyser

The 29-year-old retired after the Paris 2024 Olympics but returned to competitive swimming in September, inspired by a renewed love for the sport. Her attention is now on the 50m breaststroke, which will make its Olympic debut in Los Angeles.

Despite changing her sporting allegiance, Smith will remain based in South Africa and continue training with her existing team.

The announcement marks a significant moment in South African swimming. Smith, who won gold and silver medals at both Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024, is the country's most decorated Olympian.

In an emotional letter, she explained the thinking behind her decision, reflecting on the childhood dream of representing South Africa and the difficult choice to begin a new chapter under the Dutch flag.

“I've decided to swim for the Netherlands. It was a difficult decision, and I wanted to write this letter to share everything with you.

“When I was a little girl, my biggest dream was to represent my country at the Olympic Games. I wanted to wear the South African flag, make my country proud and show what was possible.

“I got to live that dream, and it gave me more than I could ever have imagined. Four Olympic medals later, I will forever be grateful for the opportunity to swim for South Africa, for the people who supported me and for every moment I was privileged enough to wear the green and gold.

“But dreams can change as you grow.

“When I decided to return to swimming, it wasn't because I had something left to prove. It was because I had fallen in love with the sport again. I wanted to compete, push my limits and discover what more I was capable of. For this next chapter, my dream looks different.

Tatjana Smith - Getty

“I've always been both Dutch and South African. Both countries are part of who I am, but sport requires you to choose one to represent. At the beginning of my career, I chose South Africa, a decision I will always treasure. Now I've made the decision to represent the Netherlands in the next chapter of my swimming career.

“This gives me the opportunity to explore another part of my identity and a heritage that I've never experienced through sport.

“Choosing this path doesn't take away from the first. It doesn't diminish the medals I've won, the pride I felt singing the South African national anthem or everything I've achieved together with South Africa. That will always be part of my story.

“The reality is that this opportunity also offers greater high-performance support and the potential to build a more sustainable career. The financial and practical challenges of swimming were among the reasons my previous career became difficult to sustain. This time, I want to make a different choice, protect the love that brought me back to the sport and give myself the best possible opportunity to pursue my new Olympic dream.

“But one thing that hasn't changed is my commitment to South Africa. I will continue to live and train in sunny South Africa, and through my work with the Lighthouse Foundation, I will continue supporting South African athletes and fighting for a better future for our sport.

“I believe there is so much we can learn from other sporting systems, and sometimes making a difference means stepping outside the system to understand how we can make it better from a different position.

Tatjana Smith - X

“I chose South Africa at the beginning of my career because I wanted to prove what was possible, even when the system didn't make it easy, and I did. But I also believe our athletes deserve a system that gives them the opportunity to thrive, not just survive.

“I know that not everyone will understand or agree with my decision. I could spend hours trying to explain it, justify it or convince everyone why I made this choice. But at the end of the day, this is a decision I've had to make for myself and my future.

“I know it may disappoint or even break the hearts of people who have supported me and been part of my journey, and that's not something I take lightly. I know it won't be easy, and I'll have to accept that not everyone will see it the way I do. But I hope that, beyond this decision itself, you'll see the heart behind it, the love I still have for South Africa and the reasons that have brought me to this point.

Tatjana Smith - X

“I will always be incredibly proud to be South African. It is where I was born, where I call home and a huge part of my identity. Representing another country doesn't change that.

“I lived the dream of representing my country at the Olympic Games. Now my dream is to discover the limits of what I can achieve while exploring another part of who I am.

“Choosing a new path doesn't erase the journey that brought me here. It simply gives me the opportunity to write a new chapter.

Tatjana Smith - X

“I truly hope you'll continue to be part of this journey with me, even if it means occasionally swapping the green and gold for a little orange.

“With love,

Tatjana.”

Smith's first international competition representing the Netherlands will be the World Aquatics Short Course Championships in Beijing from 1 to 6 December.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport