Show your support for Fournier Beaudry/Sorensen's quest to compete for Denmark at the 2018 Olympics!

[Jammers]

Not that they haven't already tried it, but couldn't Nikolaj and his family appeal to their local MPs / members of the Folketing, or directly to the relevant Cabinet members, which in this case would be Culture (Sport) and Immigration?

Maybe they've gotten a response in the past that's something like, "well, we've got specific rules on citizenship here in Denmark and we aren't going to bend them just for you." But, also, maybe it doesn't hurt to keep asking.

IIRC, Belbin, Agosto, and family were able to enlist the help of at least one member of Congress - if not more.

Big difference though. Tanith had been living and training in the US since 1998 so she had put in the time to get a green card and file the paperwork to become a US citizen and if not for 9/11 which pushed back her naturalization process she most certainly would have had citizenship in time for the 2006 Olympics but Laurence is trying to get Danish citizenship while still living and training in Canada.

 

[allezfred]

Danish citizenship rules are very strict. It took Wilson Kipketer, world champion at 800m, eight years to acquire it and he lived in Denmark. And that was back in the 1990s. I believe the rules have been tightened further since.

 

[VGThuy]

I'd imagine it would be hard for any skater to try to get citizenship when they aren't residing or domiciled in the country where they are seeking citizenship. I mean I'm sure it's easy in Azerbaijan, but not in countries like Denmark. It does suck that in order to be competitive in the sport, you pretty much have no choice but to train outside the host country though. But then citizenship rules are made for everyone, not just athletes seeking to compete at the Olympics.

 

[Jeschke]

I'd imagine it would be hard for any skater to try to get citizenship when they aren't residing or domiciled in the country where they are seeking citizenship.

Hm, maybe we should chat with Olivia and Kirill?

 

[maatTheViking]

Danish citizenship rules are very strict. It took Wilson Kipketer, world champion at 800m, eight years to acquire it and he lived in Denmark. And that was back in the 1990s. I believe the rules have been tightened further since.

Not only had Kipketer lived and trained in Denmark, he had done so for a while. He had more or less a guaranteed gold medal in 800 m, and they didn't care.

And yes, the rules are incredible strict. To prevent 'arranged / forced' marriages, you have to be over 21, live in the country and further more 'the couple's total affiliation with Denmark needs to be bigger than their affiliation with the foreign country' to obtain residence based on marriage. This is on top of the monetary requirements (you need money in the bank). The rules are ridiculously xenophobic, and made to prevent a perceived influx of muslim immigrants marrying the decedents of guest workers who came to Denmark in the 60s.

The 'total great affiliation' means it is almost impossible for any Dane who meet their spouse abroad to come to move to Denmark.

As shown with Kipketer, they don't make exceptions for excellence in sports (or academia) like the US does.

I feel so sorry for them, and the laws are so tough, but tbh they have a great chance of going to the olympics by becoming Canadian, and beating out the Canadian couples who outrank them (which yes, is a very low chance, but not impossible depending who stays for 2022)

 

[nimi]

And yes, the rules are incredible strict. To prevent 'arranged / forced' marriages, you have to be over 21, live in the country and further more 'the couple's total affiliation with Denmark needs to be bigger than their affiliation with the foreign country' to obtain residence based on marriage. This is on top of the monetary requirements (you need money in the bank). The rules are ridiculously xenophobic, and made to prevent a perceived influx of muslim immigrants marrying the decedents of guest workers who came to Denmark in the 60s.

The 'total great affiliation' means it is almost impossible for any Dane who meet their spouse abroad to come to move to Denmark.

Whoah. I knew the Danish rules are strict... but really, THAT strict!

(Also, I had forgotten about the whole Kipketer business.)

 

[shuilee]

Should Nikolaj Sorenson consider getting Canadian citizenship for 2022? Ice Dancing in Canada will be relatively weak after 2018. With V&M and W&P retiring, they'd already be Canadian #2 team behind Gilles/Poirier in 2019.

Watching NHK just now and starting to realize this team actual has medal potential for 2019-2022 quadrennium, especially if they have a strong country like Canada to push them up for medal contention.

 

[VGThuy]

Should Nikolaj Sorenson consider getting Canadian citizenship for 2022? Ice Dancing in Canada will be relatively weak after 2018. With V&M and W&P retiring, they'd already be Canadian #2 team behind Gilles/Poirier in 2019.

Watching NHK just now and starting to realize this team actual has medal potential for 2019-2022 quadrennium, especially if they have a strong country like Canada to push them up for medal contention.

Carol Lane won't like it.

 

[ChiquitaBanana]

Should Nikolaj Sorenson consider getting Canadian citizenship for 2022? Ice Dancing in Canada will be relatively weak after 2018. With V&M and W&P retiring, they'd already be Canadian #2 team behind Gilles/Poirier in 2019.

Watching NHK just now and starting to realize this team actual has medal potential for 2019-2022 quadrennium, especially if they have a strong country like Canada to push them up for medal contention.

I would love that!