With the support of the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC), South African canoeist Pierre Van der Westhuyzen, Russian wrestler Georgii Okorokov and US water polo player Sam Slobodien, will receive citizenships ahead of the Games, The Guardian reports.

The Immigration Minister, Andrew Giles, used Ministerial discretion to intervene and grant citizenship to Van der Westhuyzen, who has only been in Australia since January 2020.

"The applicant is engaged in a sport at an elite level and, if an Australian citizen, may be selected to represent Australia at the Paris 2014 Summer Olympic Games," Giles wrote in a note to Parliament explaining his decision to intervene.

"The applicant’s contribution to the sport may enhance Australia's international reputation and provide inspiration and motivation to other athletes.

"I have decided it would be of benefit to Australia for this applicant to be an Australian citizen."

Van der Westhuyzen was not otherwise eligible to apply for citizenship as he had not been living in Australia for more than four years, as required by law.

Giles said he was "of good character" and had already passed a citizenship test.

The processing time for citizenship applications can vary, with about 90 per cent processed within 10 months.

The South African is the brother of Jean van der Westhuyzen, who won canoeing gold for Australia at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

"It’s a huge privilege for sure," Van der Westhuyzen told Guardian Australia.

"I realise how special this is.

"Not many people are getting their citizenship as quickly as I am and I’m really so glad I have the opportunity to represent Australia."