Sport nationality rules and changes applications

IMPORTANT NOTE: OLYMPIC / PARALYMPIC GAMES

· Waiting period and Olympic/Paralympic Games:
Participation in the Olympic and Paralympic Games is also subject to Olympic and Paralympic Regulations (Bye-law to Rule 42, Olympic Charter) and in particular to any waiting period imposed by these regulations. Specifically, an athlete who has represented one country in the Olympic Games, in continental or regional games or in world or regional championships recognized 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).
(Similarly, participation in Regional and Continental Games is also subject to the regulations of the relevant governing body).
 
 
· FEI Regulations for the Olympic Games, art. 606.2.2: Ownership:
2.2.1. Horses entered for the Equestrian Events at the Olympic Games must have been registered with FEI as property of owners of the same nationality as the Athlete, by 31 December 2011.
2.2.2. Horses, with multinational ownership, must be registered with FEI by the 31 December 2011 (as per above paragraph), under the name of the nation for which the Horse will compete during the Olympic Games.
2.2.3. National Federations (NFs) are responsible to ensure that Horses which do not meet ownership requirements as laid down by FEI, are not entered for the Equestrian Events at the Olympic Games.

 SPORT NATIONALITY CHANGES 

Who applies?
The prospective NF must send an application letter to the FEI Secretary General.  Please send to: Catherine Bollon at the Legal Department.

How to apply?
The letter must:

• Be signed by the prospective NF's Secretary General or President;
• Indicate the reasons for the desired change;
• Confirm the prospective NF’s support;
• Be accompanied by a certified copy of the athlete’s valid passport (or equivalent document proving citizenship) + competition record for the last 2 years
    

• When?
  At least 30 days prior to the first Event the Athlete wishes to compete for the new country if the change is approved.  
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How it works
Upon receipt of the prospective NF’s application for a sport nationality change, the FEI will send an acknowledgement of receipt  listing, where applicable, any further documentation to be provided and informing the Athlete’s current NF of the process initiated.  Once the relevant documents are submitted, the file is reviewed by the FEI Legal Department. If all applicable requirements are met (see below), the FEI will issue its approval. A change of sport nationality is complete and effective only if the FEI has issued its approval.

Please click HERE to read more about this procedure and the applicable requirements (updated September 2011).

For any further information on sport nationality, please contact Catherine Bollon at the Legal Department.