British Olympic chiefs are to clamp down on ‘Plastic Brits’ wanting to take part in London 2012.
The argument over competitors brought in from abroad — often at the expense of home-grown talent in a bid to bolster medal success — has been highlighted recently by British Wrestling’s recruitment of overseas grapplers.
It follows the row over Cuban Yamile Aldama, Americans Tiffany Porter and Shana Cox, as well as Shara Proctor of Anguilla being drafted into the athletics team last year.
Four of the women on the seven-strong British wrestling squad are from Ukraine and one is from Bulgaria. Those who qualify only through marriage are of particular concern. Olympics minister Hugh Robertson said: “I do not support fast-tracking people simply to win a medal.”
Whitehall sources say home secretary Theresa May will now ask serious questions about future citizenship applications.
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