2026 Milano-Cortina Olympics - Figure Skating Qualification

[Theatregirl1122]

I truly hope the Swedish team is allowed to go. They should have qualified a spot at Skate to Milano and only missed out due to absolutely obvious politics.

 

[skateblessing]

So actually the club has removed the story and apparently didn´t clear it with them first...

Swedish Media is now reporting that they might not get to go because of citizenship issues and SOC requirements. Yikes. But maybe media attention can speed up the process of citizenship and bring some attention to the stupid requirements.

 

[skateblessing]

Okay, I just read about it in Swedish media - for anyone else interested and can read Swedish or wants to try a translator, here is the article.

It seems like Milla already started the application process in March, but the issue here is the application process time, which seems to be longer then usual. They said she has lived in Sweden long enough and has done everything right in the process, which is actually great because I was unsure if they would make the cut. She must have lived there for 2 years and I had the impression they moved there around January 2024. They might formally already have changed the address when they teamed up, which would make sense if she applied already in March. If she started the process 9 months ago, I´m actually more optimistic about the citizenship situation, all though there is not much time left. Maybe reaching out to media might speed up the process now.

However - they say they also must reach the requirements from SOC, which is said to be equal to a top 12 placement at the Olympics, like heck - that is not realistic. I´m not sure what that would mean either..

 

[Kelvster]

pleeeeeease evoke the talented athletes exception…….

One doesn’t get that many chances in life to skate in the Olympics …….

 

[skateblessing]

pleeeeeease evoke the talented athletes exception…….

One doesn’t get that many chances in life to skate in the Olympics …….

Yeah this is the option they have.

I have two thoughts about this.

If you look at them isolated as a team, I think they should very well be within the requirements here. They are really talented, already won a Challenger medal and has been improving every season, behind what anyone actually could expect. If that doesn´t fit the criteria, what does? I would go as far as say if you compare them with other new teams across the world, they are among the most talented new teams we have seen in a while. If you add on that Sweden never had a ice dance team at the Olympics, they were the first to be represented at Worlds for many years etc., they tick of several boxes here. Milla is only 20 and is fairly young. I hope they can argue with this and not care about if they will make the free at Olympics or not, because that would be very unfair with how much world ranking and politics influences the scores, but they even have a chance here but it will depend on other teams are clean or not.

The big if here is that Nikolaj already got this exception in 2022 as a single skater, and if they are willing to look through it since it´s a new discipline. I obviously think they should because of the arguments ahead, but that could possible raise questions about others who don´t get it a 2nd time. That is what happend with Alexander Majorov. For example there is a chance that Andreas won´t get it in 2030 if he sticks around, if he doesn´t reach the high standard requirements. And then I assume there are the other sports as well that it sets precedents for. This is about Olympics, not just figure sakting.

My cents is that they might look through it because it´s a huge deal for ice dance in Sweden. The media coverage they are doing now would certainly make it difficult for SOC to deny it - the press release from yesterday reached several media outlets.

But if Milla doesn´t get her citizenship in time, i´m not sure we will know or if they even make a formal assessment. By 2030 they might not be a looked as a "future prospect", since they probably might retire after that, and Nikolaj will be 29.

 

[Kelvster]

Let’s hope all the stars align and these two can go.

Just wish to add that like many, I am rather sick of Romeo and Juliet … but when I watched their performance at the qualifiers I was blown away. The youthful passion and freedom! It takes me back to my young days lol

 

[Karen-W]

Confirmation that Yuka Orihara didn't receive Finnish citizenship in time and that is why Finland relinquished their 2nd ice dance spot.

Suomi luopui jäätanssin toisesta olympiapaikasta – Oriharaa ja Piristä ei nähdä Milanossa

Suomella oli kaksi paikkaa Milano-Cortinan olympiakisojen jäätanssiin, mutta Juho Pirisen pari Yuka Orihara ei saanut Suomen kansalaisuutta. Suomen paikan on saamassa Ruotsi.

yle.fi

 

[Karen-W]

Danilova/Tsiba fell well short of the minimum score required by the Dutch Olympic Committee to confirm the Olympic spot they earned in Boston. It remains to be seen whether or not the Dutch OC will relent and send them to Milano-Cortina, but it isn't looking too hopeful.

Also, Golubeva/Giotopoulos Moore withdrew from the FS at Golden Spin after an awful SP.

So, the question of whether or not those two spots will be used by NED & AUS remains very much up in the air.

 

[Sabine-Yuna]

Even if the Australians might not be in best shape, it's two more months to go to the Olympics and if they aren't seriously injured why shouldn't they get the Olympic experience?
Different case with the Dutch, but maybe they get an exception. I don't know how strict the Dutch OC is.

 

[Karen-W]

Even if the Australians might not be in best shape, it's two more months to go to the Olympics and if they aren't seriously injured why shouldn't they get the Olympic experience?
Different case with the Dutch, but maybe they get an exception. I don't know how strict the Dutch OC is.

The Australians have been dealing with injuries. Yes, they needed to be in Australia to complete her residency requirements but she has also stated, in her most recent IG post, that they've been dealing with her recovery from a concussion. That can be a long, tough road to come back from and their withdrawal today is concerning.

ANASTASIA/ on Instagram: "It’s been a long time since I posted anything… But I think it’s time to share what we’ve been going through. We’ve faced many barriers along the way, and we had to overcome every single one of them. This season has been in

A figure skater's journey through adversity, featuring challenges with citizenship and injuries, is a testament to the strength of their team and their commitment to pursuing their dreams on the ice.

www.instagram.com

 

[Karen-W]

Not entirely sure how reliable this information is (the acct is usually good) regarding Milla Ruud Reitan's Swedish citizenship -

https://twitter.com/x/status/1997309117791367280

 

[olympic]

not sure where to post this, but Christina Carreira received her US citizenship on 11/20 -

Christina Carreira earns U.S. citizenship, takes one step closer to her Olympic dream

Two-time national silver medalists, Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko spent years navigating the citizenship process so the pair could represent the United States at the Olympics. This week, their immigration struggles concluded.

www.nbcolympics.com

So, Carreira/ Ponomarenko have a shot at the Olympics, though the road is a little tougher than it was at the beginning of the season.

 

[Sylvia]

not sure where to post this, but Christina Carreira received her US citizenship on 11/20 -

Christina posted the happy news herself and we fans celebrated in the U.S. Ice Dance news thread : https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...-boys-spice-girls.112920/page-22#post-6844275

 

[Karen-W]

There is a petition being circulated in support of Danilova/Tsiba going to the Olympics.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1997717784403349726

 

[PRlady]

The Dutch are all about speed skating, I doubt if many care if they have a pair team in Milan.

 

[Karen-W]

The Dutch are all about speed skating, I doubt if many care if they have a pair team in Milan.

I dunno... They were pretty excited when Lindsay van Zundert qualified 4 years ago - and the Dutch OC relaxed their score standards to allow her to go when she didn't achieve their minimum requirement either. DanTsi would be the first pairs team to ever represent the Netherlands at the Olympics, which is pretty historic. I'm crossing my fingers for them.