Basketball: Olson cleared to play for adopted nation

Basketballer Aaron Olson has been given the all-clear to represent New Zealand.

Olson - who has a New Zealand mother but was born in Canada - was forced to withdraw from the New Zealand team before last month's Olympic qualifying matches against Australia after a query over his citizenship.

Basketball's world governing body, FIBA, requires dual citizens to confirm their allegiances before the age of 16 and Olson, 25, did not obtain a New Zealand passport until he was 21.

New Zealand still have a chance to qualify for the Olympics, which Olson said was his main aim.

FIBA Oceania secretary-general Steve Smith said the discovery Olson had travelled on his mother's passport when he was six was a recognition of his right to New Zealand nationality.