Maria Żodzik, a high jumper from Białystok, Poland, has been granted Polish citizenship by the President of the Republic of Poland, Andrzej Duda. This decision opens the door for her to represent Poland in international athletic competitions.
Polish Citizenship for Maria Żodzik
Maria Żodzik, who has Polish roots, expressed her joy at being able to represent the country of her ancestors. With President Duda’s approval, she can now pursue her dream of competing for Poland on the global stage. Her coach, Robert Nazarkiewicz, supports her aspirations, and she aims to don the red and white colors of the Polish team at the Paris Olympics.
Efforts and Support
The President of the Polish Olympic Committee, Radosław Piesiewicz, played a pivotal role in securing Polish citizenship for Maria. His efforts, along with President Duda’s decision, have paved the way for Maria’s participation in international competitions representing Poland.
Next Steps and Challenges
While Maria has met the qualifying standards, approval from World Athletics is still pending. She could potentially represent Poland as early as June, pending approval from the World Athletics panel responsible for nationality changes. Her participation in the Paris Olympics hinges on successful resolution of these administrative matters.
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