Errol Kerr, currently a member of the U.S. skicross team, found out on Monday that the International Ski Federation (FIS) has granted him approval to represent Jamaica in the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Kerr, whose father is Jamaican, is currently ranked 24th in the world.  He has been wanting to compete for Jamaica since his father's death almost a decade ago.    

Around the time of his father's death at age 12, Kerr began the process to gain Jamaican citizenship.

"I've been working on it for years, and finally this year it all came together," he said in an interview with Ski Racing.     

In May, the 22-year-old skier visited Jamaica and spent more than two weeks seeking sponsorship for his Olympic bid. Subsequently, the country has decided to support Kerr to the tune of US$250,000 to fund skicross through 2014. He said the decision to leave the U.S. team became easier when he heard funding was available.

"Once that all came [together] and I'm not stepping away from everything — I'll have everything over there that I need — that made it a lot easier and made it a no-brainer," Kerr said.  

His coach will be Raul Guisado, a certified strength and conditioning specialist who coached the U.S. alpine team at two winter Olympics. Spyder will be his clothing sponsor.