This means that, despite Glavatsky-Yeadon holding a permanent identification card for Hong Kong, and competing in a number of international events for his home city, he will be unable to compete at Sochi 2014 unless he is able to secure a Hong Kong SARS passport, or gain special dispensation by the IOC.

"I have represented Hong Kong since 2006, but today I find myself frustrated knowing that I might not be able to take part unless I give up my foreign passports, and this even though I was born here and hold a permanent ID card," said the 19-year-old.

"I would love to apply for a Hong Kong passport but the thing is that I would have to then give up my other passports and that would make it difficult for me as far as training and competing around the world goes.

"For example, most of my training is done in the United States and I would need to get a visa."

Glavatsky-Yeadon is currently ranked 64th in the world in his freestyle half pipe speciality.

Alexander Glavatsky-Yeadon is on the verge of qualifying for the Winter Games having come 34th in a World Cup event in New Zealand



He finished 34th at a recent World Cup Grand Prix leg in New Zealand, putting him on the verge of qualifying for Sochi 2014.

"I need to finish in the top 30 at a World Cup, and there are three more events remaining to win a qualifying berth for the Olympics," said a dejected Glavatsky-Yeadon, who holds both Canadian and British passports.

"I'm very confident I can do that, but it might all be in vain." 

Retired Olympic swimmer Hannah Wilson faced a similar problem in the build up to Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008.

Wilson was just 15 going into the 2004 Olympic Games and, as a minor, could not give up her British passport even if she wanted to.

The IOC however, after continued lobbying from the Hong Kong Olympic Committee, gave her special dispensation to compete in the Games in both 2004 and 2008.

Glavatsky-Yeadon's parents were hoping for the same measures to be given to their son and sent a letter to Timothy Fok Tsun-ting, President of the Hong Kong Olympic Committee and a member of the IOC, regarding the issue.

"We have sent a letter to Mr Fok explaining the situation," said Glavatsky-Yeadon's mother, Alexandra Vermala.

"As he is a member of the International Olympic Committee he is well-placed to address the issue.

"This issue is something the Hong Kong Olympic Committee should address.

"He was born here and brought up here, but just because he is not an ethnic Chinese and doesn't have a local passport, he cannot represent this city and fulfil his dream.

"We had applied for a Hong Kong SAR passport for him before he was 18 but his application was refused."

Hannah Wilson found herself in a similar position going into Athens 2004 but was given special dispensation from the IOC allowing her to compete



Despite their plea to MFok the Hong Kong Olympic Committee ruled out any possibility of asking for a dispensation.

"All athletes who take part in any qualification events and/or who might represent the NOC Hong Kong, China in the Olympic Games should be in possession of a valid HKSAR Passport beforehand, thus ensuring that requests of this nature [dispensation] are no longer submitted to the IOC," they told Vermala in a letter.

Secretary general of the Hong Kong Olympic Committee, Pang Chung, also added: "This issue has been well discussed by the IOC in 2004 and 2008.

"They have ruled out any other possibilities and stated that in the future, Hong Kong athletes should possess a valid HKSAR passport."

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