Why wouldn't Canada want a talented, young athlete as one of its citizens?

Canada is a supporter of athletes and sport. Despite many national sports organizations in this country being in need of an overhaul, assessment or investigation, Canada enjoys its time on the podium.

The montages of our athletes clad in red and white with shiny hardware adorning their necks is always special. I get goosebumps every time I watch our athletes on the podium, and I was a mess watching the medal ceremony in Tokyo when the Canadian women's soccer team, led by Christine Sinclair, won gold. The tears of elation shining in their eyes rendered me a mess, sniffling into my hijab.

The team spoke constantly about their experiences and pride representing Canada. They grew up in different cities and towns across the country. (And at a time when women's and girls' soccer was not funded or respected, which has thankfully shown signs of change.)

All of them except Janine Beckie. Beckie is one of the leaders of the team and an outspoken advocate for the game. She was born and raised in Colorado and even represented the USA at a youth level. But she was offered the chance to play for Canada, the birth country of her parents and her siblings.

Beckie has been a key component of the success of the team. Canada offering her a spot to play has benefited the country and the sport.

Despite this shining example (and others) of expanding citizenship for sports, the rules in Canada have changed. The government amended laws in 2009 and 2015 so that those previously eligible for naturalization and Canadian citizenship could not extend beyond a second generation. 

So where is the line drawn of using citizenship as currency in the sports world, either for favouritism or exclusion?

Last week, 16-year-old surfing phenom Erin Brooks, who