Alisa Efimova seeks waiver for 3-year passport for Olympics

[BlissfulSynergy]

@TontoK has posted in the U.S. pairs thread confirmation of Alisa's marriage to Misha Mitrofanov in February 2024. Source is the following link:

Alisa Efimova and Misha Mitrofanov American Champions Olympic Hopefuls – The Skating Club of Boston

Alisa's written statement is very poignant. This is definitely confirmation of what had been speculated for a while. U.S. fed is obviously backing Alisa's waiver request, which has to be approved very soon. Meanwhile, Alisa/ Misha must also skate well at their GPs and win another U.S. Nationals title. They have very good programs, so hopefully they will be highly motivated to do their best.

More and more U.S. fed looks clueless for not sending their best team with momentum to the Beijing qualifier: McBeath/ Parkman. Even the experienced Chan/ Howe may have been a more advisable choice than Shin/ Nagy, at that time of low confidence. There will be a lot of U.S. teams battling it out for the second Olympic pairs spot, when three spots were so possible. We'll also see if Alisa/ Misha can cement another U.S. Nationals win.

 

[lariko]

What ifs don't work in sports. US has exactly the number of spots for pairs their cumulative performance warrants in the current slightly stronger international field.

 

[museksk8r]

How did these two manage to keep secret that they are a married couple? Did anyone actually know this news before this article went public? I thought cases like this were usually only granted when an athlete/team is a World medalist or a legit threat to win an individual event medal at the Olympics, which neither apply to this team. They don’t have the scores or reputation to be competitive with the top 3 teams in the world.

 

[readernick]

Many people questioned USFS's choice but there is no use crying over spilled milk. They sent their favorites and we can't say for sure the other teams would have done better. They likely would have but M/P had a rough go tonight. It can happen to any pair at any time.
Additionally, it's going to be very difficult for her to get this waiver. Not impossible, but unlikely. Two spots for US teams will likely be enough ..

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

What ifs don't work in sports. US has exactly the number of spots for pairs their cumulative performance warrants in the current slightly stronger international field.

A lot of what happens in figure skating is down to politics and inept decisionmaking; favoritism; poor judging system; lack of sound, knowledgeable, much less, visionary leadership; and dearth of competitive opportunities for skaters.

Sending McBeath/Parkman to Beijing, or even the experienced Chan/Howe over the inconsistent newbie team of Shin/Nagy was an absolute no-brainer. This clear choice has not one iota to do with 'what-if.' U.S. fed clearly made the wrong decision on behalf of their pairs discipline. End-of. Period.

 

[Skating47]

Does this mean that Alisa and Misha are able to go to the Olympics next year? Did the USA get three spots for pairs in the Olympics?

 

[Dreamer57]

Does this mean that Alisa and Misha are able to go to the Olympics next year? Did the USA get three spots for pairs in the Olympics?

Not quite, Alisa is seeking a waiver but citizenship has not been granted yet.

No, as indicated above, USA sent a pair to the Skate to Milano qualifier but they placed 6th for only 3 quota spots. Unless there are multiple withdrawals I can't imagine they can send 3 pairs.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

US has exactly the number of spots for pairs their cumulative performance warrants in the current slightly stronger international field.

LOL! Obviously, in your opinion. IMO, the constant disdain and looking down on U.S. pairs teams is completely unwarranted. Even when Knierim/ Frazier were winning in 2022-23, there was still rampant disrespect and looking down on them by U.S. fans as well as by international fans. The disrespect for the U.S. pairs discipline has become so ingrained and knee-jerk. I largely blame U.S. fed for this, as well as clueless fans who enjoy reveling in any weakness they perceive that U.S. skaters have. In other words, the U.S. pairs discipline has historically been seen as the least successful U.S. discipline in terms of medal wins, so it has been piled on relentlessly by many fans. The reality is that U.S. fed has historically paid more attention to their singles skaters.

Re your other contention that international pairs are 'slightly stronger,' you should definitely emphasize 'slightly'! Knierim/Frazier, Cain/LeDuc, and also Calalang/ Johnson, Lu/Mitrofanov, and Chan/ Howe were all highly skilled and accomplished U.S. pairs leading up to the 2022 Olympics. K/F and C/LD were 1 and 2 at 2022 Worlds which started the next four-year cycle. Yes, Russian and Chinese teams were not present at '22 Worlds. So what. It's only about who shows up to compete. The Italians did not compete at 2022 Worlds either for whatever reason. Again, so what. In fact, it was only the Russian and Chinese teams who were ahead of Knierim/ Frazier and Cain/ LeDuc, in 6th and 7th place respectively at the 2022 Olympics. Cain/LeDuc slipped behind Miura/Kihara in the fp to place 9th overall. Still, it was a no-brainer that the U.S. was in a very good position going into 2022 Worlds, but the fan and political focus was placed mostly on the sole Japanese team, Miura/ Kihara, to top the '22 Worlds podium. Yet, even with the generous help of judges in Montpellier, M/K performed poorly and IMO should never have placed higher than 3rd or 4th.

U.S. pairs may not be as strong as other U.S. disciplines, but they far and away have greater depth, in addition to historic legacy over many other countries' pairs disciplines! I think it's clear that the U.S. didn't have the Olympics spots in pairs they should have had in 2022 when three U.S. pairs teams were in the top 10 on WS list and 4 U.S. pairs were in the top 15 on that list. World-class pair team, Calalang/Johnson had to sit home feeling under-appreciated and disillusioned, which IMO played a huge part in Johnson's decision to leave the sport behind. C/J should have, at the very least, been tapped as the back-up team to compete at 2022 Worlds, especially after Ashley Cain had sustained an ankle sprain at the Olympics, which IMO, is what led to her problems at Worlds in the fp and their subsequent WD after historically placing second behind first-place Knierim/ Frazier in the sp.

Worse was U.S. fed not having a p.r. statement ready to release at 2022 Worlds, in Montpellier, to ensure correct data dissemination about the prior two times U.S. pairs teams had won gold at Worlds. The Kennedys were the first North American pairs team to win a World championship in 1950. And, of course, Babilonia/ Gardner won gold at 1979 Worlds. The media laughably ended up saying it had been 79 years since a U.S. pairs team had won gold at Worlds. SMH!

After Russian pairs teams began dominating major podiums in the 1960s, U.S. teams still managed to be competitive enough to often place second and/ or third on World and Olympic podiums from the 1960s up to 2002. Then, from 2003 through 2021 (minus 2020), there was a drought for U.S. pairs teams on World and Olympic podiums. There was coincidentally a similar drought for Canadian pairs teams on World and Olympic podiums from 1965 through 1982. Since the U.S. pairs drought is more recent and U.S. pairs have not won individual gold at the Olympics (despite winning silver and bronze multiple times), current fans always tend to look down on the U.S. pairs discipline. Top pairs from Japan and Italy are generally better respected, despite these countries not having historical legacies in pairs, and only recently experiencing major podium success.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

The main reason for current U.S. dominance in ice dance is the plethora of skilled Russian ice dance coaches who emigrated years ago to the U.S. to coach young athletes. Albeit that the U.S. had highly talented ice dancers historically. Without a doubt, Judy Schwomeyer/ Jim Sladky of the U.S. should have won the 1970 ice dance World championships over Pakhomova/ Gorshkov (who began their reign that year). S&S were denied in part due to body-shaming of Judy, in addition to the rife politics of that period. In the early 90s, the U.S. team of Punsalan/ Swallow, coached by the much younger Igor Sphilband were politiked out of a much deserved higher placement at Worlds prior to their retirement.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

Does this mean that Alisa and Misha are able to go to the Olympics next year? Did the USA get three spots for pairs in the Olympics?

As @Dreamer57 has indicated, no, Alisa/ Misha are currently ineligible for the 2022 Olympics. Plus, no, U.S. fed sent Shin/ Nagy to the Beijing Olympic qualifier, and they did NOT win the third spot for the Olympics (an opportunity that had been gained by two U.S. pairs teams, Alisa/Misha and Kam/ O'Shea, placing 6th and 7th at 2025 Worlds). FYI: there are three spots for U.S. pairs at 2026 Worlds, as won by the prior year's 6th and 7th placements. Worlds has differing entry requirements than the Olympics.

Alisa and Misha married in February 2024. Being married to a U.S. citizen can speed up the citizenship process from taking about 8 years to possibly 3 years. Still, that shortened time frame is not enough for Alisa to be eligible for the 2026 Olympics. That is why Alisa is seeking to receive a waiver of the 3-year waiting period, so that she can gain U.S. citizenship and a requisite passport in time to be part of the U.S. Olympic team in Milan, Feb 2026.

Obviously, a lot of difficult factors are involved in the possibility of the waiver being granted quickly to speed up her citizenship. Still, it is not unreasonable for Alisa to try this route. Certainly, the process has been sped up for numerous Olympic hopeful athletes in other countries that have different immigration regulations, along with generous citizenship latitude for successful athletes. For example, Deanna Stellato-Dudek for Canada; Bruno Massot for Germany; Tim Dieck for Spain; Nikita Volodin for Germany; and currently, Laurence Fournier-Beaudry for France.

 

[el henry]

Tanith Belbin White needed an act of Congress to speed her citizenship, and she and Ben had a far more accomplished resume at the time than Alisa and Misha do now.

I appreciate that Skating Club of Boston is supporting the matter through publicity, but unless they have some hidden juice, citizenship in the US in three months is not happening for Alisa.

 

[ramurphy2005]

Tanith Belbin White needed an act of Congress to speed her citizenship, and she and Ben had a far more accomplished resume at the time than Alisa and Misha do now.

And what they passed also helped people other than Tanith.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

How did these two manage to keep secret that they are a married couple? Did anyone actually know this news before this article went public? I thought cases like this were usually only granted when an athlete/team is a World medalist or a legit threat to win an individual event medal at the Olympics, which neither apply to this team. They don’t have the scores or reputation to be competitive with the top 3 teams in the world.

As if Conti/ Macii are so exceedingly exceptional. Certainly, they've been highly invested in and given every opportunity by their fed, plus have had the advantage of no skaters repping Russia at Euros when they won. But now, they must contend with Hase/Volodin and the burgeoning, ambitious Metelkina/ Berulava, et al.

Conti/Macii's high regard has a ton to do with politics and perception. Yes, C/M have been improving on their weaknesses and gaining more confidence. In terms of triple twist; lifts and lift positions; transitions; quality landing positions on throws and death spirals; music selection and choreo, IMO, Alisa/Misha, among some other teams, are better than Conti/ Macii. C/M have good SS; very good glide (despite lack of speed); political backing; huge desire; general competitive consistency on their single sbs jumps; growing confidence; and increasing improvements. C/M do not have great range, transitions, nor very good aesthetic positions on lifts and throws.

In any case, despite Alisa's weakness on sbs jumps, Efimova/ Mitrofanov are a high quality team in every other aspect. If you want to continue looking down on Alisa/ Misha, have at it. They are saying that they believe they are a top U.S. team at the moment, which is true. Since they are the reigning U.S. champions, they can also say they are the top U.S. team at the moment. Clearly, Alisa/Misha and Kam/O'Shea were top contenders in pairs last season, which is why they both placed well at Worlds and gained a third spot for 2026 Worlds, and the opportunity for a third U.S. pairs spot at the Olympics, which U.S. fed blew via poor Beijing qualifier selection.

Now, whether or not Alisa is granted the waiver so she can gain eligibility for the Olympics seems a bit more complicated. But, they clearly have been prepping and advocating bts before the SCOB made the announcement public on their website. If Kam/ O'Shea can overcome their slow start, it is certainly possible for both teams to place in the top 8 to 10 at the upcoming Olympics, even despite Sui/Han's return. And both teams are highly talented enough, when at their best, to help the U.S. in the Olympic team event.

An Olympic team with Alisa/Misha and Kam/ O'Shea might be slightly stronger or fairly on a par with Kam/ O'Shea and Chan/Howe. It would be weaker with the second addition of Shin/Nagy, or Val/Max, or newbie team, Liu/ Bedard. A team of Kam/O'Shea with McBeath/Parkman is also strong, but McB/Park are far away from Daniil acquiring citizenship, so they are not Olympic eligible. However, it would be great seeing McB/Park at Worlds, albeit they are more likely to be sent to 4CCs, since Shin/Nagy have been favored for assignments.

ETA:
You must have missed the conversation earlier this year where sleuths had uncovered through Misha's public record house purchase that he reportedly had a wife, and was thus married, likely to Alisa, despite her not being named in the revelatory document.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

It can happen to any pair at any time.

Exactly. Ice is slippery and pairs is the hardest discipline.

Additionally, it's going to be very difficult for her to get this waiver.

True.

Two spots for US teams will likely be enough ..

Not sure what you are implying. You could say that about any number of disciplines/ countries who send three athletes/ teams to the Olympics. On the other hand, the third athlete/ team is privy to a dream come true, along with gaining invaluable Olympic participation status and experience.

None of this is about needing or asking for fan sympathy. A bit of due respect for accomplishments might be warranted and welcomed. K/O and E/M performed very well last season and deserved their placements at Worlds, which again, for those tsk-tsking, downplaying, and disdaining, means that the U.S. will send three pairs teams to 2026 Worlds, no matter if some fans feel they should only be able to send two, or that two is sufficient for the U.S.

Funny that I have not seen fans debating and disdaining over the times Canada has sent three pairs teams to Worlds. Being able to compete at Worlds has been of tremendous benefit to Laurin/ Ethier, and previously to Walsh/ Michaud, et al. In 2026, Canada will only have two spots for Worlds. No one is arguing that two spots is sufficient for Canadian pairs. At the moment, U.S. pairs has a bit more depth, IMO, but both countries would benefit by being able to send a third pairs team to gain major competitive experience. Oh, but that's not how figure skating works. It's a cutthroat, highly political sport, with narrow windows of opportunity.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

Whether or not Alisa is granted the waiver, the fact that she's trying is relevant news. There has been a lot of speculation about her citizenship status, and whether or not Alisa/Misha were married. So, now there's confirmation.

It has always been highly doubtful that Alisa would miraculously be able to obtain U.S. citizenship. That she is trying is a worthy effort. Alisa/Misha are a very good pairs team, and it would be nice to see them at the Olympics. However, knowing how unlikely that is, I have suspected, barring injuries, that the assignments will go to Kam/O'Shea and possibly Chan/Howe for the Olympics. Then, for Worlds, probably Kam/O'Shea, Alisa/Misha, and more than likely favored Shin/Nagy. I would expect McBeath/ Parkman, Val/ Max, and Liu/ Bedard to receive 4CCs assignments.

That said, I would not put it past U.S. fed trying to send Shin/Nagy to both Olympics and Worlds instead of more wisely spreading out opportunities.

 

[readernick]

Not sure what you are implying. You could say that about any number of disciplines/ countries who send three athletes/ teams to the Olympics. On the other hand, the third athlete/ team is privy to a dream come true, along with gaining invaluable Olympic participation status and experience

I simply mean that right now the US has IMHO 2 Olympic worthy teams with citizenship. If M/P or E/M actually manage to get citizenship, the loss of this spot will be felt. But, I don't think it is likely that will happen. The US government isn't functioning right now and this type of waiver is rarely successful even in the best of circumstances.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

If M/P or E/M actually manage to get citizenship

I get what you're saying. But Daniil Parkman will not be getting U.S. citizenship anytime soon. I don't know exactly when he began the process, but he has at least 5 or more years to go. I doubt that Katie & Daniil are in a romantic relationship, so the marriage route is not something they are likely to venture.

By the way, after @TontoK initially brought this to our attention in U.S. pairs thread, I posted this SCOB announcement here as interesting news. I didn't post it because I am advocating for Alisa to get the waiver and go to the Olympics. I understand her effort to try, but I have discussed the marriage scenario previously in the U.S. pairs thread, and pointed out it's highly unlikely for Alisa to gain citizenship via marriage in time for 2026 Olympics. Outside of a miracle or insider connection and influence, it's unlikely to happen as needed by December. It's something they are hoping for and it would be nice if it happened. Still, as I said earlier, there are other accomplished U.S. pairs teams who can sufficiently help the U.S. in the Olympic team competition.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

Regarding my comments above about Conti/ Macii, they are definitely improving. They were wise to go to IAM for choreo help like Miura/ Kihara did after everyone saw the amazing programs Marie-France gave Kam/ O'Shea (which enhanced K/O's already exceptional movement qualities). Both M/K and C/M have good fps this season to better music than both teams have previously selected.

we can't say for sure the other teams would have done better [in Beijing]. They likely would have but M/P had a rough go tonight...

And? McB/Park having issues in the fp after a great sp at Cup of China is no indication that they would not have done well at the Beijing qualifier. They skated well at John Nicks, fine at GP France, and very good at their Challenger event (with scores that would have won them a bronze and a third U.S. Olympic spot at Beijing). McB/Park have been very consistent all season. They were great in the sp at CoC, but didn't manage the nerves well in the fp. Everyone has to learn how to deal with nerves at major competitions. Figuring out how to make nerves work for you is a huge learning curve. That's why what McB/Park experienced in the fp at CoC is something to take away lessons from, not to lament.

None of the pairs teams at CoC skated clean in the fp. All had problems with either jumps and/ or throws. The obvious issue for McB/ Park was missing the timing on their combo spin (a rare occurrence). Losing entire points on an element is a huge no-no, and difficult to overcome. Even then, they were only 5+ points out of 6th place due to having such a great sp. Dropping from unanticipated 4th to possibly 5th or 6th, even with a better fp, would not be unusual in this accomplished field. Dropping to 7th (last) due to losing entire points on an element is something to avoid. But once it happens, the only thing to do is learn from the experience.

Luckily, Berulava stumbling during a lift late in the fp did not turn into disaster with Metelkina in an upside down position over his head. Whew! Pairs is a rough, tough sport, not for the faint of heart.

 

[TT_Fin]

People have selective memory. Russian teams were present at 2018 Olympics. None of them were at the podium. Podium was Germany, China, Canada. Best Russian team was 4th/3 (others 7th and 12th) while best US team was just 15th/1.
Results 2018 Olympics pairs

 

[Tutto]

Tanith Belbin White needed an act of Congress to speed her citizenship, and she and Ben had a far more accomplished resume at the time than Alisa and Misha do now.

I appreciate that Skating Club of Boston is supporting the matter through publicity, but unless they have some hidden juice, citizenship in the US in three months is not happening for Alisa.

I agree they have not enough hardware just yet (lets not forget it is only their second international season together!). However, they are the reigning US National Champions and as part of US team World Team Trophy champions. And not just that, the standing ovations they had at both US Nationals and in Boston were something many champions could only dream of.
Subject to their GP performances, as at this moment, they are the best pair team US has. And for the Team Event in Milano the US need them. I think a lot was happening in the background. As a matter of fact in one of the interviews Alisa & Misha mentioned that after Boston they were approached by a number of people offering their assistance in that regard.
As a huge fan, I am inclined not to expect miracles and rather not hope. They said themselves at the beginning of the season, that they just want to concentrate on their skating, they had done all they possibly could and the matter now was out of their hands. I just want them to have a good season with or without Olympics.
As to my reaction when I read the news - it was a huge smile on my face and a scream: I knew it! Misha in particularly had betrayed their secret in every interview. Besides, the chemistry they have on the ice (and in the K&C) just cannot be faked, you know it just by looking at them.