Milla Ruud Reitan & Nikolaj Majorov

[Tingeling]

Milla is registered as a resident of Sweden since 2023-12-15 (according to public records readily available online, I'm not a stalker ). Because she is already a Nordic citizen, the residency requirements are less strict; two years instead of five. But since paper trail suggests that she's just coming up on two years this month, I'm not sure the delay is due to processing time as much as a legal formality

Either way, I'm also optimistic about Milla's chances of getting citizenship in time.

 

[norwegianfairytale]

Milla is registered as a resident of Sweden since 2023-12-15 (according to public records readily available online, I'm not a stalker ). Because she is already a Nordic citizen, the residency requirements are less strict; two years instead of five. But since paper trail suggests that she's just coming up on two years this month, I'm not sure the delay is due to processing time as much as a legal formality

Either way, I'm also optimistic about Milla's chances of getting citizenship in time.

Oh, public records, I didn´t even think about it. Thank you for the information.

You know, this is actually the timeline I always thought, so I was confused when I read that she had applied in March (or started the process of application which Swedish papers said). There was a newspaper article about them in January 2024 where they talked about that they had just moved to Sweden because of starting the process of getting citizenship, but it didn´t mention when they had moved. All though, I had been noticing from social media they seemed to spend a lot of time in Sweden in December 2023, so I was hoping they actually moved there in December and not January in regards of getting citizenship in time before Milano. So the Finnish article about them saying she would get a decision in mid December is actually into something. Since I suspected the timeline was tight with the 2 years of residency requirement, I always wondered if it was possible to file the application before that date, so they could consider it beforehand and then formally give a decision when she passed that last formality. It seems like it´s possible since she already applied a few months ago. I hope this means they can basically give her the citizenship shortly after December 15th. It´s probably the last full working week before Christmas so the timeline is really tight. It would be good for her to have a decision before Christmas.

I agree it´s super weird that Swedish paper is trying to put the blame on processing time when the real issue here is that she can´t get a decision before after 15th of December because of the residency requirement.

It´s good to hear that you believe this will resolve as well

 

[norwegianfairytale]

@Tingeling do you happen to have a subscription/access to DN?

There is a new article from 2 days ago, where a spokesperson for the Swedish Migration Authority says that statistically there are low chance for Milla to get citizenship in time for Olympics since apparently they got her application only a few days ago.

The rest is behind paywall, but what I could gather from what is possible to read this doesn´t sound promising.

https://www.dn.se/sport/svart-lage-for-os-hoppet-tar-tid-att-bli-svensk-medborgare/

Doesn´t seem like they checked their facts properly in the first media coverage they did

 

[Tingeling]

@Tingeling do you happen to have a subscription/access to DN?

There is a new article from 2 days ago, where a spokesperson for the Swedish Migration Authority says that statistically there are low chance for Milla to get citizenship in time for Olympics since apparently they got her application only a few days ago.

The rest is behind paywall, but what I could gather from what is possible to read this doesn´t sound promising.

https://www.dn.se/sport/svart-lage-for-os-hoppet-tar-tid-att-bli-svensk-medborgare/

Doesn´t seem like they checked their facts properly in the first media coverage they did

Damn. There's still hope, though. The Migrationsverket spokesperson is being pretty evasive as they cannot comment on individual cases, but this line basically leaves the door open:

– Det kan gå fort i vissa fall men det är ingen mening att spekulera i det. Det beror verkligen på.

(– It can be a quick process in some cases, but there's no point in speculating. It really depends.)

My impression remains that she could "somehow" get it just in time. Might be wishful thinking. Fingers crossed.

 

[bartlebooth]

Here it says that most applications from Nordic citizens take about two months, and the application has been turned in on December 1st.
The timing is undeniably tight, but I don't think it could have been helped: Milla turned 18 at the end of September 2023, and during the fall she and Nikolaj were busy competing. December 2023 seems like the first viable option to get residence (it has to be done in person, if I got that right). I read that younger people's (18-21) applications get some kind of priority, and I hope that's the case, but I don't know. Moreover, I listened to Jackie Wong 's podcast last night (who needs sleep?Today is a holiday, anyway), he said that he texted Milla on this matter and she answered that she has done everything that was up to her.
The other thing is that the Swedish Olympic Committee won't even start to consider her case until she gets the citizenship, and then there would be the other can of worms of Nikolaj having already got the exemption for last Olys.
Let's wait and see.

 

[norwegianfairytale]

Thanks a lot. I´m actually staying optimistic since the spokesperson from the Migration Authority said there are cases that could go very fast, and that younger people might get priority. I´m hoping Milla is one of those cases.

But i´m wondering about how much time they really have left if they need to give up the spot. Wouldn´t it be awful late for the Hungarians to not know until the end of January if they will go?

 

[norwegianfairytale]

Found an interview with Milla and Nikolaj in Swedish going into Nationals (Milla speaks Norwegian but she changed in the Swedish word for competition instead of the Norwegian one).

They sound half optimistic about that they will make it to Milano:

A quick translation:

Q: How do you feel so close to Olympic Games?

Nikolaj: It feels very good. There is of course some things that remains in order for it to happen, but we are going to prepare and work as if we are going to be there. So that if we get the ticket eventually we are 100% ready for the Olympics.

Q: So what role does National play for you, is it the last test before Olympics?

Milla: We do have EC before Olympics also, so this is to be able to show two good programs and have a good competition.

Q: What details are you working on right now?

Nikolaj. In Ice Dance you work on small details every day, you are judged by every aspect: on looks, how you perform, clean turns on the ice, it´s in the small details that you work on everyday, I don´t know if it´s any different to what we normally do for preparations. Or what do you think?
Milla: Yes, the work on improving the small details never ends, that is what ice dance is about, working on improving those small details and our programs. That is what we do every day.

Q: If you have a bad day, but you still have to go out on the ice to compete or practice, do you have any tricks on your hand to deal with it?

Milla: Yes, before competitions I always think about doing exactly what I do in practice, that is the best strategy. I tell myself I have done this at practice so many times, that I know how to do this.
Nikolaj: And if the bad day is related with something else outside skating, you get a reminder of why you do this sport. Why I keep doing this. I say to myself, now we just forget about this crap and put our energy on the ice instead, and then it feels better after.

 

[norwegianfairytale]

They skated a clean RD and got a new PB with 73.09 yesterday. The FD is in about one hour. Since the other Swedish senior team split they are competing alone.

 

[norwegianfairytale]

 

[ladyjane]

In Dutch we use 'thumbing' to state we are hoping something gets done. I am 'thumbing' for them both they will be able to go to the OG.

 

[norwegianfairytale]

Dreams come true

It´s confirmed that Milla got her citizenship and they got the Olympic ticket!!

Big congratulations, this must be a huge relief and hopefully this brings a lot of good energy into Euros next week

 

[bartlebooth]

My Scandi sweeties have officially become mina svenska (svorska?) älsklingar!
Great news, glad that it is all quite settled right before Euros!

 

[ladyjane]

I am so happy for them. Yay Milla and Nicolaj!

 

[snowflake]

Dreams come true

It´s confirmed that Milla got her citizenship and they got the Olympic ticket!!

Big congratulations, this must be a huge relief and hopefully this brings a lot of good energy into Euros next week

Very happy for them.... and for you! their biggest fan

I first heard it on the radio while I was driving. Good to hear something nice about figure skating on sports news for a change.

I'm not much into ice dance but of course I'll watch them. And probably some more teams since it's olympics

How many teams are competing and how many for the final? Can Milla and Nikolaj make it?

 

[norwegianfairytale]

Very happy for them.... and for you! their biggest fan

I first heard it on the radio while I was driving. Good to hear something nice about figure skating on sports news for a change.

I'm not much into ice dance but of course I'll watch them. And probably some more teams since it's olympics

How many teams are competing and how many for the final? Can Milla and Nikolaj make it?

That must have been a fun drive!

There are 23 spots and 20 will make the free, so only 3 will not make the final. Chances are they won´t make the free, but chances are they also could, better chances then at Worlds last year. If we look at the different RD scores across some of the teams at the cusp, they have scored higher then Wang/Liu, Val/Kazimov and Bekker/Hernandez throughout the season, but the teams have also scored higher at other competitions. It´s going to be awfully close and in the end if might come down to if anybody makes mistakes or not, and those levels at steps might matter.

The issue here is they will slotted in the first warm up group which will probably give them a lower GOE, but I assume if there are 4 teams in one warm up group they will "just" need to beat all the teams in the group. I could see them making the final because they seem to improve more and more. I guess Euros and 4CC scores could give us a good indication where they stand now. They also changed their music in the steps, so i´m curious how that is going to turn out for them scoring wise. They improved their RD score a lot at Swedish Nationals, but we shouln´t read too much into National score.

They could still pick up some ranking points at Euros but I don´t think it will be enough for them to surpass any of the other teams going to Olympics, because others teams will surely will get some points at Euros or 4CC as well. They havn´t maxed out on international points so they could possible pick up a competition between Euros and Milano if there is enough time - they usually have done Bavarian Open but I don´t know if that is possible this year. I mean they aren´t going to be in the team event so I´m not sure how early they will arrive?

 

[snowflake]

Thak you @norwegianfairytale I bet no one is following them as closely as you are

All the best to Milla, Nikolaj and You on February 9th

And btw great for Andreas to have figure skating companions from his own country in Milan. Must mean a lot.

 

[norwegianfairytale]

Very cute interview with Milla and Nikolaj about Olympics from the Swedish Olympic Team account:

Translation:

Milla: I know, I would have brought my dog if I could (Nikolaj laughs at this comment)..

Introduction: We are Milla Ruud Reitan and Nikolaj Majorov, and we represent Sweden in figure skating in ice dance!

Q: Describe the feeling with one word
Nikolaj: Wow.
Milla: Dream.

Q: How proud are you?
Milla: Very proud.
Nikolaj: Can´t describe it. Why have just skated ice dance together for 2 years, before that singels skating, if we go back 2 years ago no one of us would have ever imagined we would stand here today and represent Sweden.

Q: What is the first thing you would pack in your luggage?
Milla: Skates and costumes
Nikolaj: Yes, the skates and costume for the competition.

Q: And the third thing?
Milla: I don´t know...
Nikolaj: For me it will be my camera, I would absolute bring it.
Milla: I really don´t know, but if Nikolaj brings his camera it would be very good, we will have photos for good memories!

Q: How does it feel that whole Sweden is supporting you?
Milla: It´s incredible, we have got so much good support already, we are really grateful for that people support us, we are just super happy
Nikolaj: Yes, and very proud
Milla: Yes, we feel very proud and happy!

Nikolaj: Thank you for supporting us, believe in us and cheering for us!
Milla: Become the Olympic Swede! (I´m actually not sure what she means here, perhaps this is a Swedish idiom that I don´t understand)
Nikolaj: And continue to do so!

I really appreciate that Milla holds on to her Norwegian language so well and doesn´t try to change up her words in fear of that the Swedes will not understand her. I do think it helps that she speaks clear and slow.

 

[norwegianfairytale]

Fantastic skate today by Milla and Nikolaj 12th place after the RD is just amazing!

 

[norwegianfairytale]

 

[norwegianfairytale]

Lovely post from a fan account!

I´m so proud of Milla and Nikolaj placing nr. 13 at their 3rd Euros and 12th both in the RD and FD. I enjoyed watching both performances and so happy they had a great time