Tatjana Smith explains her switch to the Netherlands

Olympic gold medallist Tatjana Smith has given her own account of why she will now swim for the Netherlands instead of South Africa. According to Briefly News, the 29-year-old explained her reasoning in an interview with SwimSwam, after her announcement drew a strong public reaction at home.

How she qualifies to swim for the Dutch

Smith holds dual citizenship because her father is Dutch. She said that option was open to her all along, but she first chose to represent South Africa when her senior career got going in 2017. Her aim at the time, she explained, was to show what South African athletes can achieve even when the system around them is difficult.

The eligibility rules also played a part. Smith has not raced for South Africa since she announced her retirement at the Paris Olympics, and that gap meant she was able to change her sporting nationality to the Dutch one.

The pressures she describes

Smith spoke of financial, practical and emotional difficulties while competing under the South African banner, and called them "burdens". Briefly News noted that her comments follow earlier reported complaints about Swimming South Africa, which form the background to her departure. The source does not detail those complaints, and no response from the federation was included.

Since joining the Dutch set-up, Smith said she has noticed a difference straight away in how athletes are looked after. One example she gave was that she no longer has to pay her own way to the World Championships.

A message to South African supporters

On her social media pages, Smith thanked the South Africans who sent her messages of encouragement once the news became public. She said their backing means a great deal to her as she starts the next phase of her career.

She also said the move has given her room to relax and enjoy swimming. In her words, she feels "able to breathe" and can enjoy the sport for a few more years.

The switch has prompted debate among South Africans, including a former Olympic champion who questioned her motives, according to the Briefly News report. Smith’s own explanation puts the focus on funding and the support available to athletes rather than on any loss of affection for the country she represented.

This story is based on reporting by Briefly News.