[9] She began competing for Great Britain at wrestling competitions, including the World Championships, where national citizenship is not required.
[10] She took third place in the women's 59 kilograms (130 lb) competition at the European Wrestling Championships in April 2011, her first international medal for Great Britain.
The sport's governing body petitioned the Home Office in order to ensure that this was received in time for her registration for the Games.
[15] Fellow Ukrainian and British wrestling team member Yana Stadnik had her citizenship application turned down at the same time that McGlinchey's was awarded.
[16] McGlinchey was Great Britain's sole wrestler at the 2012 Summer Games, where she competed in the women's 55 kilograms (121 lb) category.