Swimmer Matt Sates reportedly seeks Australian citizenship
The two-time South African Olympian could compete for Australia at the 2028 Los Angeles Games, according to a broadcaster's report.
Two-time South African Olympian Matt Sates is reportedly seeking Australian citizenship, a move that could let him represent Australia at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Broadcaster Mat Thompson revealed the pursuit during the 2026 Australian Swimming Trials in Sydney in June, and The South African first reported it that month.
Sates, 22, represented South Africa at the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympics. He won gold in the 200m individual medley and bronze in the 400m individual medley at the 2022 World Short Course Championships. At Tokyo he finished 14th in the 200m individual medley, and at Paris he placed 20th in the 200m butterfly.
The move follows Tatjana Smith's announcement that she intends to represent the Netherlands at the 2028 Olympics, a switch the Mail & Guardian called a bitter blow for South African sport. Darian Townsend (US), Jessica Pengelly (Australia), Sarah Poewe (Germany) and Keri-anne Payne (Great Britain) have also changed allegiance.
Why it mattersSouth African swimmers switching allegiance to other countries reduces the pool representing South Africa at major international competitions such as the 2028 Olympics.