COME ON YOU KENYAN DISTANCE RUNNERS, YOU JAMAICAN SPRINTERS, YOU CANADIAN.? UMM?..OK, FORGET CANADIANS…BUT EVERYONE ELSE WITH MEDAL POTENTIAL IS WELCOME TO JOIN “TEAM AUSTRALIA” ! …just read on will yuz 
SYDNEY, Aug 31 AAP - Russian-born skater Tatiana Borodulina is expected to compete for Australia at next year’s Winter Olympics after the Government announced proposed changes to the Citizenship Act.
The proposed amendments to be introduced into the Federal Parliament next month will reduce the residency requirements from four years to two for athletes of distinguished sporting talent.
Immigration Minister Chris Evans made the announcement in Sydney on Monday following approaches from Australian Olympic Committee president John Coates and Tennis Australia.
The changes will also be a shot in the arm for Australian women’s tennis with Jarmila Groth (nee Gajdosova) and Anastasia Rodionova also available to play Fed Cup for their adopted country when the laws come into effect.
Slovakian-born Groth, at No.62 in the world, would be Australia’s second-highest ranked women’s player while former Russian Rodionova is ranked No.139.
Borodulina had moved to Australia in 2006 hoping to represent Australia at the Olympics but missed the cut-off point for becoming an Australian citizen by 18 days when the Howard Government tightened the rules in 2007 and extended the residency period from two to four years.
``Once the legislation is passed and immediately following Royal Assent, an Australian Citizenship ceremony will be conducted for Tatiana before the 2010 Olympic Winter Games qualification events in November,’’ AOC director of sport Fiona de Jong said.
``We are extremely grateful to Chris Evans and the Federal Government for their understanding and support which will benefit athletes from a number of Olympic sports.’’
Australian Winter Olympic team Chef de Mission Ian Chesterman said the addition of Borodulina would be a big boost.
``Tatiana has been competing for Australia for the past couple of years. She has won two gold medals and a bronze on the World Cup circuit in the 2008/2009 season’’ he said.
She is world-class and athletes with her ability lift the standard of all Australian skaters. She adds to the talent pool in Australia, and if she does well in Vancouver more young people will be attracted to the sport.
``Success breeds success across all sports.’’
In a bid to qualify for citizenship Borodulina joined the Australian Army Reserve. She has also rejected approaches from Russian skating officials to return home.
