In my opinion, professional athletes are like independent contractors. They sell their talents to the highest bidder and spend their time proving their worth. Nationalities go only as far as to show their birthplaces. But after they are free to play wherever they wish.
This system provides the weirdest combination of athletes in various sports. Big name soccer clubs spend stellar amounts of money to invite players from around the world. To see a soccer team's line up it is as mixed as the United Nations. Tennis players, soccer players are the real independent contractors.
A great number of them do not even live in their home country for various reasons mostly to avoid taxation. So, when a tennis player plays and fans waive their national flag, I find it hilarious. The guy was born let's say in Sweden and they are waiving the Swedish flag it is funny because he happens to live in Monaco to avoid taxes. Nationalities and home countries have very little to do with these sports.
Home countries do not help athletes in their quest. Either well to do parents, or good sponsors are the ones who will pick up the tab. In today's world of mixed marriages these athletes can take advantages of either of their parents' birthplace.
Hungary had two world class short track speed skaters. They were both Chinese and were brothers. Father Chinese, mother Hungarian. For years they competed in the colors of Hungary. Recently they decided to go to China because it looks like the grass is greener over there. Many of Hungary's professional basketball teams have black players who have Hungarian citizenships even though none were born there. And this phenomenon is all over the world.
A funny world we live in.
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