INAPRUBAHAN ng international federation ng swimming ang pagbabago ng nationality ni Kayla Sanchez mula Canadian sa pagiging Pilipino epektibo kahapon, July 6.
“The World Aquatics has approved the request for the sport nationality’s change of the Athlete [Sanchez], born on 7 April 2001, in the Aquatics sports of Swimming, from Canada (CAN) to Philippines (PHI),” sabi ni World Aquatics Legal Counsel Loic Loutan sa isang liham na may petsang July 4 at ipinadala sa Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) nitong Huwebes.
“Therefore, the Athlete is entitled to represent Philippines (PHI) in international competitions from 6 July 2023 onwards,” dagdag ni Loutan.
Isinulong ng POC, sa pamamagitan ng presidente nito na si Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, ang pagpapalit ni Sanchez ng nationality noong nakaraang taon, na kinabilangan ng pagkumpleto niya ng year-long residency requirement.
“Finally the good news,” ani Tolentino. “The country now has a very strong anchor in its national swimming team.”
Si Sanchez ay opisyal na magsisimulang lumangoy para sa Pilipinas sa Hangzhou 19th Asian Games na gaganapin sa September 23 hanggang October 8. Hindi siya lalahok sa world aquatics championships na magsisimula sa July 14 sa Fukuoka, Japan alinsunod na rin sa payo ng kanyanh coach.
“Thank you so much for helping me get the approval from World Aquatics,” naunang sinabi ni Sanchez kay Tolentino.
Si Sanchez ay bahagi ng silver medal-clinching 4×100 meters freestyle relay team ng Canada sa Tokyo Olympics. Nagmamay-ari rin siya ng tatlong world championships gold medals habang lumalangoy para sa Canada.