Dec 11, 2024 10:49 PM IST
US-born pairs skater Stellato-Dudek turns into Canadian citizen, clearing the way in which for Milan Olympics
World pairs champion Deanna Stellato-Dudek turned a Canadian citizen on Wednesday, clearing the way in which for the American-born determine skater to compete with accomplice Maxime Deschamps on the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.
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The 41-year-old Stellato-Dudek, who was born in Chicago, took the oath of citizenship in Montreal.
“Taking the oath of citizenship in Canada is an overwhelming honor and I’m filled with gratitude towards everyone who believed in me and helped me get here,” she mentioned. “I continue to be grateful to compete under the Canadian flag and anthem and can’t wait for my first international event as an official Canadian citizen with my partner Maxime.”
The 41-year-old Stellato-Dudek started her profession as an achieved particular person skater representing the U.S., ending second on the world junior championships and successful the junior Grand Prix Ultimate. However after sustaining a collection of hip accidents, she determined to retire in 2001, solely to make a comeback as a pairs skater with American accomplice Nathan Bartholomay in 2016.
The pair twice completed third on the U.S. championships earlier than splitting in 2019, and that is when Stellato-Dudek teamed up with Deschamps, who had separated from his American accomplice Sydney Kolodziej the earlier yr.
Stellato-Dudek and Deschamps thought of skating for the U.S., however they have been involved that he wouldn’t be granted American citizenship in time to compete on the 2026 Olympics; the Olympic Constitution requires athletes to carry the nationality of the nation represented by their Nationwide Olympic Committee as a way to compete on the Summer season or Winter Video games.
Stellato-Dudek and Deschamps as an alternative started to compete for Canada in Grand Prix and different worldwide competitions, the place citizenship is just not a requirement of the Worldwide Skating Union, the world governing physique for the game.
Collectively, the pair have gained the previous two Canadian pairs titles together with 5 of their final six Grand Prix occasions. They gained the world title final yr in entrance of a supportive crowd in Montreal, and gained the Grand Prix of Finland and Skate Canada this season earlier than withdrawing from final week’s Grand Prix Ultimate due to an sickness that put Deschamps on the sideline.
Stellato-Dudek and Deschamps plan to return for the Canadian championships in Laval in January. Additionally they are anticipated to be on the world championships, that are happening in March in Boston.
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