Replay Lounge 2026 U.S. Nationals: Recaps and Discussion

[Fetinia]

Why no one of fellow Americans cares about Daniil Parkman not having citizenship? He deserves it no less than Alisa, perhaps more. Is not he waiting for citizenship much longer than Alisa?

Because the rules are different for spouse and an adult (> 21y.o.) child of US citizen. For a spouse you have to be married and have a green card for 3 years, then apply for citizenship (at this stage the process can be expedited). Daniil was born in St. Petersburg, Russia to two Russian parents, who immigrated to US, so he is not born to US Citizen, hence no automatic citizenship. Later they went back to Russia. His father later becomes a citizen (not familiar with family situation why only father became a citizen and not an entire family), then he can petition for Daniil Green card (not citizenship). Once he gets his Green Card, then he can apply for citizenship in 5 years. Also, the spouse of US citizen gets a green card immediately, adult child of us citizen has a waiting list to get a green card, leave alone citizenship. Again, not sure why only Daniil father is us citizen, but it is what it is.

 

[Kiki5375]

I just don't like this citizen switching. There needs to be more to wanting to be a citizen of a country than just beeing able to go to Olympics. Why do they force the skaters to leave their nationality behind? If a pair has 2 nationalities why not give one medal to each country? They don't have to buy an extra medal to do that. Let them skate together and give the medal to two countries.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

No announcement yet, and I wouldn't be surprised if that was only announced when entries for the event are due. Strategically, there's no reason to announce early. They'll be monitoring the situation in practices beforehand. My recollection is that entries for the free aren't due until after the short segments are complete.

I can see a scenario in which Ilia skates both segments. I think many have already conceded the gold to Team USA, and I'm not so sure. It depends mainly on how the pair holds up in the short.

I am not sure it's down to pairs, though. Women and ice dance are just as crucial. Everyone needs to be at the top of their game. The competition will be tough.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

Because the rules are different for spouse and an adult (> 21y.o.) child of US citizen. For a spouse you have to be married and have a green card for 3 years, then apply for citizenship (at this stage the process can be expedited). Daniil was born in St. Petersburg, Russia to two Russian parents, who immigrated to US, so he is not born to US Citizen, hence no automatic citizenship. Later they went back to Russia. His father later becomes a citizen (not familiar with family situation why only father became a citizen and not an entire family), then he can petition for Daniil Green card (not citizenship). Once he gets his Green Card, then he can apply for citizenship in 5 years. Also, the spouse of US citizen gets a green card immediately, adult child of us citizen has a waiting list to get a green card, leave alone citizenship. Again, not sure why only Daniil father is us citizen, but it is what it is.

So, it's probably because Daniil's father worked in the U.S. for the short time they lived in Seattle. Perhaps his father felt it would be a good idea to have U.S. citizenship if he ever relocated again for his job. Or else, the citizenship process had been started for Daniil's father by the employer when they first moved to Seattle, and it came through after they had moved back to Russia. I figured both of his parents are from Russia, despite the seemingly English surname. And yes, even with Daniil's father having U.S. citizenship, the process for Daniil is very complicated. It has to do with Daniil's current age and how long his father lived in the U.S., etc. I doubt his father still lives here. You must have insider information from people who know Daniil.

I think the journalists at the fp press conference were lax in not including Katie and Daniil in more of the questions. K&D were only directly asked one question. Yet, that was an oppty to ask Daniil more about his background and his current immigration status in connection with his athletic goals. At least, we did get to see a bit of Daniil's fun personality in his response to the one question. This is a good example, though, of how poorly figure skaters are covered by mainstream media and by fs media.

K&D are two-time U.S. pairs medalists who are sadly mostly ignored by the media and given lesser attention by U.S. fed. Meanwhile, they are both interesting young people in a very promising and successful partnership. Wow, had McB/Park been assigned to the Beijing qualifìer like they should have been, it would have been a boon for them and for U.S. figure skating's pairs discipline. Whether they had secured the 3rd spot or not (and doing so was very possible), just having that exposure and skating their best would have been great. I am glad they are going to Worlds. I never thought that would happen for McB/Park due to U.S. fed's fixation on exclusively pushing Shin/Nagy. Support S/N and allow them to develop, while also encouraging other good teams in their development!

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

I just don't like this citizen switching. There needs to be more to wanting to be a citizen of a country than just beeing able to go to Olympics. Why do they force the skaters to leave their nationality behind? If a pair has 2 nationalities why not give one medal to each country? They don't have to buy an extra medal to do that. Let them skate together and give the medal to two countries.

I think you have to understand this more from athletes' perspective, as well as from an historical sports perspective. A lot of it is contradictory, conflicting, and ridiculously unfair to athletes. It's complicated whenever country politics and bureaucratic institutions are involved. The fact that some athletes have a better chance of obtaining citizenship based on the contrasting immigration rules of individual countries, is an inequitable and frustrating situation.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

Let them skate together and give the medal to two countries.

That's actually a fascinating idea. But I doubt it would ever be allowed to happen. The system would have to shift to a different outlook. The political country vs country structure and mentality would have to change completely. Sadly, fs is a sport led by backwards powers-that-be who are more concerned with furthering the interests of speedskaters than with evolving figure skating for a new era.

 

[chameleon]

Actually, no non-citizen in a U.S. ice dance team got a break in reduction of the arduous and long U.S. citizenship process, especially not Christina Carreira! She would have had her citizenship a number of years ago, had she went the normal route from the beginning. Her initial immigration atty suggested she try for an Extraordinary Person visa which drastically reduces the citizenship process. But she was much younger then with a lot fewer athletic career accomplishments. And that type of visa is usually not given to athletes. It's more often for vastly accomplished scientists, notable VIPs in industry or politics, classical musicians, or well-connected celebrity entertainers. Christina certainly did not fit the requirements. Thus, she had to start the entire process over again, losing several years at least. What might have taken her 8 years, ended up being around 11 years! Plus, all the commuting back-and-forth from Canada after she and Anthony switched coaches and relocated.

In Vadym's case, he has followed the lengthy citizenship process that began when he first came to the U.S. in his youth and partnered with Avonley Nguyen -- they had a successful and exciting junior career. The citizenship process was not sped up for him as a result of his career wins, though. Vadym and Christina are just fortunate that the end of their long U.S.citizenship quests fortuitously came to successful closure last fall in time for the 2026 Olympics. Neither received any special reduced time waivers, like typically happens in other countries for figure skaters, e.g., Deanna Stellato; Laurence Fournier-Beaudry; Bruno Massot; Nikita Volodin; and Tim Dieck, et al. Albeit that Massot and Volodin had to pass the difficult German language test.

To be clear, while Christina and Vadym didn't get any shortcuts, I'm referring to Christina's own interview detailing the process:

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

Lots of people get tied up in bureaucracy and lost in the shuffle for years after they're eligible for citizenship, but their athletic achievements meant that USFS was willing and able to advocate for them and get them in touch with senators and representatives that make sure their cases were seen. Ideally, everyone would be seen to right away and their cases evaluated in a timely fashion. The federation and US Olympic Committee is more than happy to personally assist in the process of allowing foreign born athletes to represent them at the Olympics, so it's pretty silly to argue that a team like Carreira/Ponomarenko or Zingas/Kolesnik shouldn't have been permitted to compete until recently when the athletes themselves and their federations have made the commitment.

 

[ManyCairns]

On another topic, WHOSE PROGRAMS DID YOU FIND YOURSELF RE-WATCHING?

Before they expired on Peacock (and I will also hunt for them in other places), I watched these performances multiple, multiple times:
Zingas and Kolesnik RD and FD; Green and Parsons FD; Amber Glenn short program.

There are many more that I watched twice, but I really binged those three. How about you?

 

[moonvine]

This will probably be an unpopular opinion but I don't think skaters should be allowed to compete for the US unless they have citizenship in the first place. I feel really bad for Alisa and Misha because they worked hard and are really very, very good. But now we have a 4th place team representing the US. And please don't get me wrong - my favorite team is Spencer and Emily. Have always loved watching Spencer through the years but taking 6 months off for basic training has really taken a toll. I wish them well.

As for Isabeau and Alysa, Isabeau just doesn't have the fire power. And quite frankly, if Alysa used the 3A that she supposedly has, and landed it cleanly, she would have won the competition. In person, Alysa is SO dynamic and fun to watch. Isabeau still has that really awkward jumping style and you find yourself gritting your teeth hoping that she lands the jump. She's very elegant on the ice and her music was perfect for her. But....

Okay - fire away.

I don’t care if they have citizenship or not.

 

[midori green]

Why no one of fellow Americans cares about Daniil Parkman not having citizenship? He deserves it no less than Alisa, perhaps more. Is not he waiting for citizenship much longer than Alisa?

Has he even said that he's trying to get citizenship?

 

[Diana Delafield]

I just don't like this citizen switching. There needs to be more to wanting to be a citizen of a country than just beeing able to go to Olympics. Why do they force the skaters to leave their nationality behind? If a pair has 2 nationalities why not give one medal to each country? They don't have to buy an extra medal to do that. Let them skate together and give the medal to two countries.

Do I remember reading that in doubles tennis at the Olympics, while men's and women's teams have to be from the same country, mixed doubles can represent two countries? Has any pair like that ever won a medal, and how was it handled? (Or has the rule changed since I read that.)

 

[SnowWhite]

Do I remember reading that in doubles tennis at the Olympics, while men's and women's teams have to be from the same country, mixed doubles can represent two countries? Has any pair like that ever won a medal, and how was it handled? (Or has the rule changed since I read that.)

I believe this was only the case in 1900. Every other time mixed doubles has been included (1912, 1920, 1924, 2012, 2016, 2020, 2024), every time in the draw is listed as representing the same country. Men's doubles in 1896 and 1900 also had mixed teams (no women's doubles was held). Apparently mixed country teams were a thing in the earliest editions of the modern Olympics, and the results went under the mixed team designation.

 

[Tutto]

I think you're addressing 2 different issues. I can't imagine how difficult it is to leave your homeland, friends and family, and move to a different country. My grandparents came to the US from Italy and came through Ellis Island - had to find a home, a job, didn't speak the language, etc. So I'm not indifferent to that. But figure skating is a sport. It's a country-defined sport. It's an annual and once every 4 years competition between countries. If you're unable to get a passport to leave the US and compete internationally than I still think you shouldn't represent that country. When or if the rules change to allow that then it stops being an amateur sport (maybe it already has) and becomes something else. As I said, I'm not indifferent to what Alisa has had to endure, but emigrating and competing are two different issues. I also realize how difficult it is to find pairs partners - obviously - but I don't think getting them from other countries is the answer. And it's just my opinion and you can disagree with me. But it certainly is a matter for discussion and shouldn't just be passed off as the ISU needs to change their rules.

To clarify I never said anything about ISU, I was saying that IOC (International Olympic Committee) should at least recognise that there is a problem there which needs fixing. Things have changed quite a lot since 1896 - the world is an interconnected place now but there hasn't been any revision of rules (not as far as I know) The athletes of all sports move a lot and represent different countries during their careers. And while I agree they should demonstrate certain level of commitment to the country they compete for - why it should be citizenship? For example, if your job requires your relocation to another country would your employer request a change of citizenship? Of course not, all you would be expected to do is to get your permit to stay in the country sorted and so on.
Getting back to the pairs or ice dance teams - would it be so wrong if only one partner were a citizen and another not, providing they can demonstrate their links to the country - residency, membership of national team or skating club etc?
I find it grossly unfair that e.g. Anastassia Gubanova will represent Georgia in Milano while she literally never set her foot in the country but continues to live and train in Russia (I have nothing against the girl personally in fact I loved her very much in juniors) (Note: I am not trying to open another discussion - she made her switch BEFORE certain unfortunate events)
While Alisa, a resident, a green card holder, National team member and 2 time National champion, training in US and married to US citizen, will stay at home. The rules are rules and have to be complied with I don't argue with that. But from a common sense perspective it does not make much sense.

 

[Tutto]

I believe this was only the case in 1900. Every other time mixed doubles has been included (1912, 1920, 1924, 2012, 2016, 2020, 2024), every time in the draw is listed as representing the same country. Men's doubles in 1896 and 1900 also had mixed teams (no women's doubles was held). Apparently mixed country teams were a thing in the earliest editions of the modern Olympics, and the results went under the mixed team designation.

Ahh thank you for clarifying this, I was just trying to google it

 

[Kiki5375]

Do I remember reading that in doubles tennis at the Olympics, while men's and women's teams have to be from the same country, mixed doubles can represent two countries? Has any pair like that ever won a medal, and how was it handled? (Or has the rule changed since I read that.)

it's different in Tennis. You don't need to practice for years to play doubles together in tennis. Many singles players play doubles at tournaments with different partners all the time. So most of the time the two top singles players of a country play doubles at Olympics unless that country has a very good doubles team who only play doubles on the tour. So if the IOC says we want 2 players of one nation to play doubles it's not a big deal in Tennis. They play a few more tournaments together to get used to each other and that's it.

 

[elbkup]

On another topic, WHOSE PROGRAMS DID YOU FIND YOURSELF RE-WATCHING?

Before they expired on Peacock (and I will also hunt for them in other places), I watched these performances multiple, multiple times:
Zingas and Kolesnik RD and FD; Green and Parsons FD; Amber Glenn short program.

There are many more that I watched twice, but I really binged those three. How about you?

I rewatched my sentimental favorites, not necessarily the winners: Maddie/Evans FD, Ilia, Lucius, Max, Jason broke my heart, Emily/Spencer S & F with fingers tightly crossed, Amber everything, Browns FD, the Peals RD FD, Tomoki and Jimmy Ma. (Sigh)

 

[Diana Delafield]

it's different in Tennis. You don't need to practice for years to play doubles together in tennis. Many singles players play doubles at tournaments with different partners all the time. So most of the time the two top singles players of a country play doubles at Olympics unless that country has a very good doubles team who only play doubles on the tour. So if the IOC says we want 2 players of one nation to play doubles it's not a big deal in Tennis. They play a few more tournaments together to get used to each other and that's it.

But if a mixed-country doubles team win an Olympic medal, how would they handle the flags at the ceremony? And the possible anthem, although I don't think I've ever heard of that happening for the gold.

Edit: Now I see from the replies that what I'd read must have been in a history of the Olympics, and doesn't happen today. (Although I wonder if the rule allowing that was ever repealed. That could make for an entertaining kerfuffle if no one had noticed the rule was still on the books and two athletes today took advantage of it.)

 

[moonvine]

I think you're addressing 2 different issues. I can't imagine how difficult it is to leave your homeland, friends and family, and move to a different country. My grandparents came to the US from Italy and came through Ellis Island - had to find a home, a job, didn't speak the language, etc. So I'm not indifferent to that. But figure skating is a sport. It's a country-defined sport. It's an annual and once every 4 years competition between countries. If you're unable to get a passport to leave the US and compete internationally than I still think you shouldn't represent that country. When or if the rules change to allow that then it stops being an amateur sport (maybe it already has) and becomes something else. As I said, I'm not indifferent to what Alisa has had to endure, but emigrating and competing are two different issues. I also realize how difficult it is to find pairs partners - obviously - but I don't think getting them from other countries is the answer. And it's just my opinion and you can disagree with me. But it certainly is a matter for discussion and shouldn't just be passed off as the ISU needs to change their rules.

If you can’t leave the country you can’t compete internationally. Legal permanent residents Can obtain passports, leave the country, and represent the US. My sister in law is a Canadian citizen and leaves the US to go to Canada multiple times a year

 

[TontoK]

I think some may be overestimating the influence the ISU has over the IOC. The IOC isn't going to just change the rules that apply to every single sport in the Summer and Winter Games lineups because pair men and women like to switch allegiances.

 

[el henry]

Well, since we are scampering down this rabbit hole:

1. The age old question of who should be the Olympics. I watch the Olympics for countries, not for the quote unquote "best". If that means four five or ten skaters with higher scores stay home so Donovan Carrillo can skate, well That to me is the point of the Olympics.

2. I believe the IOC agrees with me They are not going to relax citizenship rules anytime soon.

3. It is confusing to have teams at Nats that are not eligible for the Olympics. You, I and people on the board know that Nats is not the sole criterion for Olympics, but does everyone else? Now since the teams can go to Worlds, I suppose it's not so terrible, but it is confusing.

4. No way should anyone get citizenship fast tracked because they are good at sports. A noodge for those that have met all the requirements and are delayed (Tanith Belbin) yes, fast tracked no.

/End post