CASE STUDY THE ATHLETES STRUGGLE FOR ITALIAN CITIZENSHIP The laws ruling Italian citizenship Citizenship in Italy is acquired at birth by children born from at least one Italian parent; otherwise, it can be applied for from the age of 18 by people born in Italy, after a period of permanent and certified residence in the country. The issue of citizenship for athletes The problem of Italian citizenship in the world of sports is becoming more evident as larger numbers of young non-Italian athletes are training and competing in Italian sport clubs and societies. As citizenship is often a requirement to participate in official competitions and represent the nation, their results cannot be registered by the Italian sports federations and, in case of international competitions, the athletes are not allowed to compete for Italy. This can limit the opportunities of athletes to compete at high levels, possibly affecting their careers, creating frustration and, in some cases, psychological harm. with their documents, lending officiality to the request. However, the difficulties that athletes asking for citizenship have to face often make them quit sports and high-level competitions In 2016, a law, known as ius soli sportivo even though it is not, in fact, a real ius soli was enacted. It stated that sports federations must consider as Italians the athletes who have been permanently resident in the country at least since they were ten years old. In this way, they will be given the possibility of being Italian champions. However, as the president of CONI, Malag , has said repeatedly, it is necessary to accelerate the procedure to enact a real ius soli sportivo, in order to avoid inequalities among Italian and non-Italian athletes, granting them the same opportunities to have a career in sport. What are the possible solutions? Obtaining the Italian citizenship takes a long time and is not always easy. In order to help their athletes, sports federations have often intervened writing letters, asking for updates on the procedures, and helping the applicants 6 Match the beginnings and endings. 1. To get the Italian citizenship at birth, 2. Italian citizenship can be asked for 3. Athletes lacking Italian citizenship 4. The difficulties related to the lack of citizenship 5. Obtaining the Italian citizenship 6. A law enacted in 2016 7. Federations often help in the process, but 8. According to the President of CONI, 254 History, philosophy, and civic education a. a law granting equality is necessary. b. a real ius soli sportivo would end inequalities among athletes who grew up in Italy. c. can be limited in their sports career. d. from the age of 18. e. gives the possibility to consider foreign athletes as Italians under some conditions. f. is not always easy. g. it is necessary to have at least one Italian parent. h. may cause frustration and psychological harm.