CliqNews Desk · EN
Swimming South Africa reacts as Olympic champion Tatjana Smith leaves.
Swimming South Africa’s acting chief executive, Zikie Molusi, has described Tatjana Smith’s decision to switch allegiance to the Netherlands as “very sad” for the country.
Lanaka Valery
12 November 2026 · 1 min
Smith, South Africa’s most decorated Olympian and a double Olympic gold medallist, announced the move ahead of the short course World Championships in Beijing in December. She said the Netherlands offers greater support and a more sustainable career.
Molusi said the governing body understood her reasons, but admitted the loss was a major blow as South Africa prepared to compete in Beijing.
Smith, who holds Dutch citizenship through her father, said South African athletes deserve a system that allows them to “thrive, not just survive.”
Her departure leaves Swimming South Africa facing an uncomfortable reality on how the country could keep its greatest champions when they feel they must look abroad for the support needed to continue?
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