Addition of Tatjana Smith Could Be a Game-Changer for Dutch Medley Relay
The announcement by Tatjana Smith that she was changing her sporting nationality from South Africa to the Netherlands was a major surprise earlier this week. A four-time Olympic medalist, and two-time Olympic champion, Smith is moving on from a country that does not possess a strong record of supporting its athletes, and will join a Dutch program that has high hopes for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Could Smith become an Olympic medalist for a second nation? Obviously, that storyline will be intriguing, and the same can be said for what Smith’s move might mean for the Netherlands’ 400-meter medley relay. Yes, the Dutch claim Tes Schouten as an elite breaststroker, but if Smith can near her best form, the veteran will be an upgrade on the breaststroke leg of the medley relay. Enough to contend for a medal at next year’s World Championships and at LA28? Well, let’s discuss.
The Netherlands does not possess the depth of other countries in the 400 medley relay, so there are limited options available when racing at a global championship. As good as world-record holder Marrit Steenbergen is in the 100 freestyle, she likely needs to be utilized on the leadoff backstroke leg of the medley relay. Steenbergen owns a best time of 58.33 in the 100 backstroke, and her use on the front of the relay would mark a two-second drop from the 1:00.21 that Maaike de Waard recorded at last summer’s World Championships.
With Steenbergen leading off, the Netherlands would be in contention from the start, allowing Smith to battle on the breaststroke leg. If Smith can go 1:04-high or 1:05-low, she would be a major factor and keep her new homeland in the mix with the top countries in the world. From there, the butterfly leg is likely in the hands of Tessa Giele, who boasts a best of 57.17 for the event. Meanwhile, Milou Van Wijk has been 52.71 in the 100 freestyle and while she is better known for her 50 freestyle talent, she continues to surge and has the ability to split 51-high or 52-low.
Add up the potential times of a Steenbergen-Smith-Giele-Van Wijk quarter and the Netherlands is looking at a relay in the 3:52 territory. That type of time would contend for the podium at the World Champs in Budapest and the next Olympics, Smith a game-changer through her nationality switch.
