The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has approved seven applications for change of nationality, including Olympic swimmer Levenia Sim, making those athletes eligible to compete for their new nations at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Sim changed representation from the United States to Singapore, representing the latter at last year’s Asian Games. There in Hangzhou, Sim earned 9th in the 50m back (29.19) and 7th in the 100m back (1:01.89).
The changes were approved according to Rule 41 of the Olympic Charter.
IOC rules regarding sporting citizenship are a little different (and simpler) than those put forth by the International Federations. Paragraph 2 reads:
A competitor who has represented one country in the Olympic Games, in continental or regional games or in world or regional championships recognised by the relevant IF, and who has changed his nationality or acquired a new nationality, may participate in the Olympic Games to represent his new country provided that at least three years have passed since the competitor last represented his former country. This period may be reduced or even cancelled, with the agreement of the NOCs and IF concerned, by the IOC Executive Board, which takes into account the circumstances of each case.
The full list of changes approved by the IOC Executive Board:
- Chahrazed Ayachi – Wrestling – from France to Tunisia
- Anastasiia Kirpichnikova – Swimming – from Russia to France
- Aleksandr Komarov – Wrestling – from Russia to Serbia
- Rachel Neylan – Cycling – from Australia to Ireland
- Lisa Pou – Swimming – from France to Monaco
- Levenia Sim – Swimming – from the USA to Singapore
- Ingrid Simão Souto Maior – Gymnastics – from Brazil to Portugal
Canadian Kayla Sanchez had her change of nationality approved in the fall.
As for Kirpichnikova, she confirmed to SwimSwam that World Aquatics approved the change on June 6th of last year, allowing the Russian-born distance swimmer to compete at the 2023 World Championships under the French flag.
23-year-old Pou told SwimSwam in April of last year that she has been training with the AS Monaco club for more than a decade and has “received a lot of support from the people that believed in me here.” Her dad, Michel, is a two-time Olympian for France who helps coach her at AS Monaco basecamp.
I guess this means Condorelli and Nikolaev weren’t approved?
Not in this round. This isn’t necessarily the final round – Kayla Sanchez was approved in December.
No Santo?
What about Nic Albiero? Or was he already approved
Will/can Italians take him back?
Highkey, if he flies back for Sette Colli and drops a 51 low-mid 100 Fly, he’s probably on that finals relay at Paris.