Gold medallist Tatjana Smith on the podium after the women’s 100m breaststroke final during the Paris Olympic Games at Paris La Defense Arena in Nanterre on 29 July 2024. (Photo: Sarah Stier / Getty Images)Four-time Olympic medallist Tatjana Smith will no longer represent South Africa in the pool. Smith, who won her first Olympic medals as Tatjana Schoenmaker, announced on 10 November that she will swim for the Netherlands. She is aiming for the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.
Smith gave a parting shot to the Swimming South Africa (SSA) system, saying athletes need an “opportunity to thrive, not just survive”.
Recently, Smith has been vocal about athlete welfare, challenging SSA over withheld prize money and limited commercial opportunities when competing.
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