Teen surfing prodigy Erin Brooks has had her application for Canadian citizenship rejected by the federal government.
Brooks, 16, was born in Texas and grew up in Hawaii, but has Canadian ties through her father Jeff, who is a dual American-Canadian citizen.
Brooks, who won a silver medal at the ISA World Surfing Games in El Salvador in June, had hoped to secure her citizenship and represent Canada at the Paris Olympics next year. But the delay in naturalization meant she had to miss the Pan American Games in Chile, where the winner receives an Olympic berth.
The final opportunity to qualify for the Olympics is at the ISA World Championships in Puerto Rico in February.
In a letter outlining their decision not to grant Canadian citizenship, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada states that Brooks “is not stateless and will not face special and unusual hardship if Canadian citizenship is not granted to you.” and that you have not provided services of exceptional value.” Canada.”
According to Surf Canada, Jeff Brooks intends to appeal the decision to the Federal Court.
Brooks is considered by many to be the favorite to win a medal at the Olympics due to the difficult left running conditions in Teahupo’o, Tahiti. She won gold at the ISA Junior World Championships in June 2022.
The Brooks family’s home in Maui burned down in the recent wildfires, and the family called Tofino, B.C. home when not traveling with Erin.
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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 20, 2023
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