Test passed, free ride for Pyeongchang: A good two months before the Olympic Winter Games pair runners Bruno Massot is naturalized. The partner of five-time world champion Aljona Savchenko will finally receive his German passport next week.
“This naturalisation could have taken place this week, but due to the participation in the Grand Prix competition in Lake Placid, the date is postponed until next week”, the association announced.
The 28-year-old had failed twice before taking the mandatory German language test on 11 November. Savchenko/Massot are considered candidates for medals in South Korea.
Twelve years ago, Ukrainian-born Savchenko also had to fear for her German citizenship.
After being a partner of the Chemnitz-based Robin Szolkowy in 2005, the authorities made their decision in mid-December, paving the way for the 2006 games in Turin.
Less spectacular and more promptly, before the 2014 Games in Sochi, two more naturalisations were carried out at the request of the DEU. At that time, the ice dancers Nelli Zhiganschina and Stefano Caruso received their German passports early on.