Compiled by Dylan Bettencourt
- Swimming South Africa has agreed to pay Tatjana Smith the interest she claimed was owed on delayed prize money.
- Smith is still seeking documents explaining Swimming SA’s Arena kit deal and how it affects athletes’ sponsorship rights.
Swimming South Africa has agreed to pay Olympic champion Tatjana Smith the interest she claimed was owed on prize money held for more than a year.
According to Daily Maverick, the agreement followed a letter of demand sent by Smith and her husband Joel through attorney Wian Spies.
Spies said all the interest would be paid, but he would not reveal the amount.
The dispute goes back to prize money Smith won at the 2023 World Aquatics Championships.
She earned $15,000 for silver in the 100m breaststroke and $20,000 for gold in the 200m event.
Her lawyers claimed Swimming SA held the money for more than a year before finally paying it in 2024.
They said the payment did not include the interest earned while the federation held the money.
Swimming SA operations manager Mafata Modutoane was accused in a legal letter of saying he had kept the interest as a “management fee”.
Modutoane later denied keeping the money.
While the interest dispute is moving towards an end, Smith’s fight with Swimming SA is continuing.
Her lawyers want documents showing what Swimming SA agreed with swimwear company Arena.
They also want policies explaining what kit swimmers must wear and records of fines imposed for using other brands.
Smith previously faced a proposed €46,000 fine after competing in Speedo swimwear and goggles while wearing an Arena cap.
Her lawyers said the fine was later withdrawn.
Spies has now taken the matter to the Information Regulator after Swimming SA allegedly failed to respond to a formal information request within the required time.
Smith’s legal team argues that the Arena agreement may affect athletes’ ability to earn money from their own sponsors.
The Information Regulator must now decide whether Swimming SA should be ordered to hand over some or all of the requested documents.
Pictured above: Tatjana Smith.
Image source: File
