Tatjana Smith, the double Olympic gold medallist who has represented South Africa on the world stage, has announced she will switch her sporting allegiance to the Netherlands.
Smith, who won gold in the 200‑metre freestyle at both the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Olympics, said the decision was driven by the financial and practical challenges she has faced as a swimmer.
She cited a lack of financial support and the practical difficulties of training and competing as key reasons for her move, noting that these factors have made it increasingly difficult to maintain her competitive edge.
By joining the Dutch swimming federation, Smith hopes to access better resources and support for her career, allowing her to compete for the Netherlands in future international competitions.
The Dutch federation welcomed the decision and said Smith would be a valuable addition to their squad, adding that her experience and talent would strengthen the team’s prospects in upcoming events.
<small>Source: Al Jazeera — read the original story there.</small>