Many moons ago, in the year 1983 during the era of apartheid South Africa, a young South African girl moved to England, claiming British citizenship so that she could run internationally as South Africa was excluded from international events due to it’s apartheid policy. When she ran at Crystal Palace the following year it was controversial, but she had ever right to do so as the fact that her grandfather was British gave her the right to British citizenship.
Over the years that have followed there have been numerous different athletes originating from or born in different countries who have represented Britain in International athletics. It’s therefore quite bemusing for people to speak of ‘plastic Brits’.
I must say I am, however, somewhat fascinated by Tiffany Ofili-Porter who says “I could have run for America, I could have run for Nigeria but I choose to run for Britain because I appreciate the support they show for athletics”
The truth is that the diversity of her background and options is very representative of modern day Britain.
Ref: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/8680043/London-2012-Olympics-US-born-Tiffany-Ofili-Porter-seeks-to-dispel-myths-after-switching-allegiance-to-GB.html
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