Christina Carreira’s U.S. Citizenship Secures Olympic Eligibility for Milan

Christina Carreira grew used to a routine that few elite athletes experience. The ice dancer regularly crossed the Blue Water Bridge between Port Huron, Michigan, and Sarnia, Ontario, on her way to train in London, Ontario with longtime partner Anthony Ponomarenko. Border officers began to recognize her face and ask about competitions as she balanced daily training with the long process of becoming a U.S. citizen.

In November, that process reached its conclusion. Carreira received her citizenship approval, removing the final barrier that prevented her from representing the United States at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. The decision ended years of careful travel planning designed to protect her residency status while maintaining a demanding training schedule.

“The process of becoming an American was pretty tough, and it took forever,” Carreira said. “It was very, very stressful.”

Citizenship rules shape Olympic eligibility

International Olympic Committee rules require athletes to hold citizenship in the country they represent. Some nations accelerate naturalization for elite athletes, a practice often called sports migration. The United States, however, rarely shortens the standard path, even for top competitors.

That requirement affected other American contenders this season. Pairs skater Alisa Efimova did not obtain her U.S. passport in time for Olympic selection, despite support from U.S. Figure Skating, the Skating Club of Boston, and Massachusetts lawmakers. Efimova and partner Misha Mitrofanov are the reigning U.S. national champions in pairs.

“We were waiting for a last-minute miracle to make it happen,” Mitrofanov said.

Carreira chose a different approach. She avoided extended stays in Canada despite training there and instead drove roughly two hours each way most days to keep her primary residence in the United States. The commute became part of her preparation routine.

“I would listen to podcasts. I’d listen to music. I’m a huge ‘Dance Moms’ fan,” she said with a laugh.

Nationality changes remain common in figure skating

Figure skating frequently sees athletes change national representation because of partnerships, training locations, and Olympic rules. The pattern appears across ice dance and pairs skating.

Laurence Fournier Beaudry, a rival of Carreira and Ponomarenko, was born in Montreal and previously represented Canada. After her former partner was suspended, she formed a partnership with French Olympic champion Guillaume Cizeron. French authorities granted her citizenship within months, and the IOC approved the switch soon after.

Other examples span the sport. Anastasia Golubeva, born in Moscow, competes for Australia. Olga Mikutina, born in Ukraine, represents Austria. Alexandra Feigin, born in Israel, skates for Bulgaria. Deanna Stellato-Dudek, raised in Chicago, represents Canada in pairs.

Athletes in sports such as hockey and freestyle skiing also compete for nations other than their birthplace. Movement in the opposite direction, toward U.S. representation, happens less often because of the length of the American naturalization process.

A shared milestone for new U.S. Olympians

Carreira’s experience mirrors that of ice dancer Vadym Kolesnik, who was born in Kharkiv, Ukraine, and became a U.S. citizen last summer. Kolesnik will also compete in Milan with partner Emilea Zingas.

“I’ve lived in the U.S. for almost 10 years at this point,” Kolesnik said. “I have a car. I have a house. I have a dog. I feel very honored to represent the U.S. at such a high level.”

Zingas described his journey as an example of long-term commitment. “He represents the American dream very well,” she said. “When he got here he didn’t speak the language; he learned it. He works here and puts so much into representing the United States well. It is very special.”

For both skaters, citizenship reflects years of residence, work, and training rather than a short-term sporting decision.

Preparing to compete in a complex global climate

The Milan Cortina Olympics arrive during a period of heightened geopolitical tension. Policies from the Trump administration, especially on immigration and foreign affairs, have drawn criticism in parts of Europe that will host the Games.

Athletes say they do not know how those broader issues might affect the atmosphere around the competition. Their focus remains on performance.

“No matter what,” Carreira said, “it’s an honor for me to represent the U.S. I’ve lived here for half of my life. I really consider it my home.”

Carreira’s journey from Montreal to Michigan and now to Milan reflects steady persistence away from the rink as much as skill on the ice. Years of careful commuting and paperwork now give way to an Olympic debut under the U.S. flag.