Article by David Marinescu – published on Saturday, August 30, 2025, 10:41 / Updated on Saturday, August 30, 2025 10:44
Russian skater Vladimir Semurniy, 22, received Polish citizenship in Warsaw this week. Thus, the double medalist at the World Speed skating championships this year will be able to compete under the Polish flag at the future Winter Olympics.
Originally from Russia, the athlete settled in Poland in 2023 and could represent Poland on the international stage since December last year, after the expiration of the 14 -month period required following citizenship.
Lately, Semurnij has managed to win the bronze at 5,000 meters and silver at 10,000 meters, at the World Championships in March. In both samples, he brought down the existing records so far in the Polish skating.
Only now, however, it is certain that the 22 -year -old speed skater will be able to compete in the colors of Poland and at the Olympic Gamesnotes Slovaks from Sport.Aaktuality.sk.
Vladimir Semurniy, proud to represent Poland: “I can now focus only on training”
“I have no words to describe how everything happened in less than two years. Now I can finally focus only on training and follow my goal, ie Olympic medals,” said Vladimir Semurniy immediately after receiving Polish citizenship.
Upon arrival in Poland, had to sign documents that condemn the Ukraine Warafter which the federation helped it with the application for the residence permit, which he obtained on December 5 last year.
Together with a valid travel document, he could thus travel freely into the visa -free Schengen area.
Vladimir Semurniy has left Russia and will represent Poland / Photo source: Imago Images
On December 19, he received the Polish license from the International Federation, although the Russian part requested a two -year postponement. However, it had to wait for another eight months to change citizenship, which will allow him to compete at the Milan Olympics and Curtina d'ampezzo.
“I can say that everything goes well. I am not excited, because the workouts go great. I have a very good relationship with the coach, and my shape is certainly better than last year. Then I could not say that I can get a good result.”
“Now I'm ready to improve my records. I want to be first in every race. If I win, for example, the World Cup will be easier to psychologically at the Olympics“, Said the athlete, who does not hide his determination to fight for the most precious medals. He added, however, that he still has difficulty with the song of the Polish anthem, although he already knows the lyrics.
His mother cried with joy!
The first person who communicated the news of obtaining Polish citizenship was his mother. “She was in shock, she cried with joy. I would very much like to meet her now, I long for the Olympics,” confessed Vladimir Semurniy.
The problem of changing his citizenship was a major priority for the Polish speed skating federation. Sports director Konrad Niedzwiedzki stressed that the success of the talented sportsman at the World Championship has contributed to the extremely rapid resolution of the situation.
“I am very glad that it was possible to solve so fast. He received citizenship in an extraordinarily short time. Our representative, who helped us in this approach, said it is a record.”
Vladimir Semurniy / Photo source: Imago Images
“I think for such personalities, for medals at the World Championships, for athletes who have the chance to fight for Olympic medals, this is the correct direction, in order not to extend things and to have the possibility of comfortable training for the Olympics,” the official stressed.
The final deadline for completing the formalities to allow him to participate in the Olympics was January 26, 2026. The federation was afraid that the classification would not be succeeded, which would have been a great loss for the national team of Poland.
“It was a huge pressure because Vladimir left everything in Russia – family, friends, school, training group – and came here. He trusted us that we will solve the situation and that he will be able to compete at the Olympics, where he will be able to fulfill his ambitions and can do what he loves. ”
“We certainly felt a huge responsibility, because we remember how, four years ago, Diane Sellier came from France and it was not possible to get the passport on time for the Olympic games, so we had this experience in mind,” added Konrad Niedzwiedzki.
