Government Clamps Down On “plastic Brits”
The British Government is preparing to tighten up on the number of foreign athletes seeking to represent Great Britain at the London Olympic Games – with Home Secretary Theresa May reportedly urged to scrutinize any new citizenship applications from sports bodies whose squads contain foreign-born athletes.
As a result of the clampdown, it is likely that some new applications will now be rejected – according to media reports.
“Plastic Brits” refers to athletes brought in from abroad to represent the country at the expense of homegrown talent.
The issue has been highlighted by British Wrestling, who has recruited several athletes from Eastern Europe, reportedly in the hope of qualifying them for Team GB.
The seven-strong squad currently comprises of four grapplers from Ukraine, and one from Bulgaria.
It takes five years to become a naturalised British citizen, though this can be expedited through marriage.
IOC rules state that athletes must wait three years after a change of citizenship before competing for their new country, however this is reduced to one year when both countries agree.
Wrestling is not the only sport with overseas talent; the British athletics squad at the last World Championships included two who had switched nationalities, with more in contention for 2012.
