The Australian government has fast-tracked the citizenship of three athletes from South Africa, Russia and the US, in an effort to boost the nation’s chances of winning gold medals at the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
With the support of the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC), South African canoeist Pierre Van der Westhuyzen, Russian wrestler Georgii Okorokov and US water polo player Sam Slobodien, will receive citizenships ahead of the games after having their applications fast-tracked.
The immigration minister, Andrew Giles, used ministerial discretion to intervene and grant citizenship to Van der Westhuyzen, who has only been in Australia since January 2020.
“The applicant is engaged in a sport at an elite level and, if an Australian citizen, may be selected to represent Australia at the Paris 2014 Summer Olympic Games,” Giles wrote in a note to parliament explaining his decision to intervene.
“The applicant’s contribution to the sport may enhance Australia’s international reputation and provide inspiration and motivation to other athletes. I have decided it would be of benefit to Australia for this applicant to be an Australian citizen.”
Van der Westhuyzen was not otherwise eligible to apply for citizenship as he had not been living in Australia for more than four years, as required by law. Giles said he was “of good character” and had already passed a citizenship test.
The processing time for citizenship applications can vary, with about 90% processed within 10 months.
The South African, whose bid for a ministerial intervention was supported by the AOC, is the brother of Jean van der Westhuyzen, who won gold for Australia in the K2 1000m canoe event at the 2020 Summer Olympics.
“It’s a huge privilege for sure,” van der Westhuyzen told Guardian Australia of the minster’s decision.
“I realise how special this is. Not many people are getting their citizenship as quickly as I am and I’m really so glad I have the opportunity to represent Australia.”
A student at Bond university, on the Gold Coast, he arrived in Australia shortly before international borders were closed due to the Covid pandemic. He said the fast-tracking of his application was necessary to ensure he could compete for a spot in the Australian team.
“After everything that’s been done for me and the belief that people have for me, it just makes me want to do really well for Australia. It’s really an honour,” Van der Westhuyzen said.
The AOC is able to support fast-tracked citizenship applications – or lobby for exemptions to be made for those who don’t meet the requirements – under a “special residence provision of the Citizenship Act”
“The capacity of the AOC to provide this type of support is a significant privilege for Australian sport which the AOC exercises judiciously,” a spokesperson for the body said.
“All requests must be for athletes who will be selected on the next Australian Olympic team.”
The AOC also supported the fast-tracked citizenship of Okorokov, who was a European junior champion in wrestling and has lived in Australia since 2017.
“His talent has been identified by Wrestling Australia and he is part of their high performance squad, also assisting in upskilling local Australian wrestlers,” the AOC said in a statement.
“He has represented Australia on a number of occasions and placed 10th at the 2022 world championships.”
Okorokov, who has been contacted for comment, was based in the Siberian city of Yakutsk, just south of the Arctic Circle. Russia does not allow dual citizenship.
The AOC said the government had also fast-tracked the application of 26-year-old Slobodien, who is a former captain of the University of Southern California’s water polo team.
Slobodien, who was also contacted for comment, was born in New Jersey and won the 2018 Australian Waterpolo League championship. His university profile indicates he was a member of the US youth national team before moving to Australia.
Australia equalled its record of 17 gold medals at the Tokyo olympics.
