Triathlete Kirsten Kasper of Marietta took another step toward joining the 2016 U.S. Olympics team when she raised her hand, recited the Oath of Allegiance and became a naturalized U.S. citizen during a private ceremony in Atlanta.

Kasper, 23, who was born in Canada but has lived much of her life in the U.S., is now competing for a spot on the U.S. team in advance of the 2016 Olympics in Brazil.

“This is home to me,” said Kasper, a Georgetown University graduate who has been splitting time between her parents’ home in Marietta and a training site in Phoenix, Ariz. “And I wanted to take the next step and be able to represent the U.S. competing in the Olympics and be able to vote and become more than just a resident.”

Kasper was among more than 100 others from 57 countries who participated in citizenship ceremonies in Atlanta Wednesday.

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