Denmark denies citizenship to former Russian skater despite European gold

Sofia Thorup (formerly Prosvirnova), a European speed skating champion, will miss the 2026 Winter Olympics after Denmark refused to grant her fast-track citizenship, despite her expectation of obtaining it quickly through marriage.

Source: Sofia on Instagram

Details: Sofia, who represented Russia under the surname Prosvirnova until 2022, attempted to quickly change her citizenship after marrying Danish speed skater Viktor Thorup. Despite successfully qualifying for the Games, local authorities blocked her simplified naturalisation application.

Sofia explained that Danish officials based their decision on a reluctance to involve foreigners in developing national sport.

Quote: "The given reason was that they would like to develop it from the bottom up with Danish skaters on Danish soil, and that I would not be considered a good role model for the young kids."

Details: Sofia claimed four World Championship medals and 18 European Championship medals for Russia between 2015 and 2022.

On 11 January 2026, she won Denmark's first-ever gold medal in the mass start at the European Championships in the Polish city of Tomaszów Mazowiecki. Sofia finished with a time of 8:39.72, ahead of Italy's Francesca Lollobrigida.

She began the transition to the Danish national team in April 2023.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!