Sochi: Piper Gilles

Piper Gilles: U.S.-born Piper Gilles skated for Canada at the world championships last season with her ice dance partner Paul Poirier. But they ll be denied a chance to try for a medal at the Winter Olympics in Sochi if her Canadian citizenship doesnt arrive in time, according to The Star. That would be a shame. Gilles, whose mother and grandmother are both Canadian citizens, should be given a chance to compete for this country. There is a provision in the Citizenship Act allowing for people like Gilles to be fast-tracked on grounds of rewarding services of an exceptional value to Canada and Shes an ice dancer in a race against time. And it doesnt involve international competitors but rather a bureaucratic deadline. As reported by s Jeff Green, Gilles will need to obtain her Canadian passport by Jan. 14 in order to qualify for Sochi. World championship rules are different, allowing her to skate without one. Gilles has applied, but its considered unlikely that her citizenship will be approved in time. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.