Former Russian Speed Skater Takes Polish Citizenship

3rd September 2025

22-year-old Vladimir Semirunniy won a bronze medal for Russia in the 5,000m event at the Junior World Championships in January 2022.

In September 2023 he fled to Poland following the earlier full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia.

He declared his desire to represent the Polish national team.

Now he has been awarded Polish citizenship he is eligible to represent his new homeland at the next Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina next February.

According to Visa Verge, Semirunniy chose Poland after speaking with several national federations.

He had hoped to find a stable training base, a welcoming team, and a country that would support his move on both ethical and practical grounds.

Poland’s speed skating programme offered him a clear route to race and a coaching setup that matched his style.

In order to represent the Polish Speed Skating Association (PZŁS), Semirunniy had to sign a pledge that he is not sponsored by Russian companies, has no links to the Russian military and that he does not support the invasion of Ukraine