If you are an Olympic athlete do you have to be born in the country you play for or for example if you are Canadian and you get your American Citizenship can you play for the US in the Olympics?

Answer 1

There is no rule that says an athlete can only compete for the country in which they were born but there are some situations brought up in the Olympic Charter that would disqualify an athlete from competing for a country that they were a citizen of.

Rule 42 of The Olympic Charter states that the International Olympic Committee has final say over whether an athlete may compete for a particular country. Section 1 states that an athlete must be a 'national' of the country they are competing for but, should there be a dispute, the IOC Executive Board shall resolve the dispute.

By-Law 2 of Rule 42 states that an athlete who has represented one country in the Olympics and then becomes a citizen of Another Country must wait three years from the time they represented their old country before they can represent their new country.

Click on the "Olympic Charter" link below to about the rules. Do a find on "Rule 42" to read the specifics about citizenship, or nationality, of athletes.

Answer 2

one year

According to International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) a new US citizen should wait for 2 years before competing in Olympics. Athletes who have represented their former nation in international competition should wait for 3 years before representing US.There are special cases where the 3 years wait is reduced to 1 year provided both nations agree to it.

Answer 3

Citizenship is the requirement. Birth is not considered.

Answer 4

no