The recent announcement from the President of Lithuania, Gitanas Nausėda, has sparked excitement as he declared that the country will grant citizenship to American ice dancer Allison Reed following her bronze medal win at the European Figure Skating Championships.
President Nausėda had previously rejected Reed’s citizenship request twice, but he has now indicated a change in approach after the recent achievement. He was reportedly impressed by the performance of the Lithuanian duo and expressed pride in their success.
Following the news, President Nausėda stated that Reed will need to submit a citizenship application according to the current Lithuanian laws. This marks a significant shift from the previous rejections that prevented Reed and her partner from participating in the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.
Reed, for her part, has indicated that she is still considering whether to reapply for Lithuanian citizenship. Her decision will be made after the World Figure Skating Championships in Canada.
Under the current rules, the president of Lithuania has the discretion to grant citizenship by way of exception to foreigners who have integrated into society and shown special merits to the country. Activities that contribute to strengthening the identity of Lithuania and increasing its influence in the world are considered as special merits.
Overall, the news of Reed’s potential citizenship reflects the impact and recognition of her achievements in the world of figure skating, and it has created a sense of optimism and anticipation for the talented ice dancer.
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