The couple running European champions Minerva Fabienne Hase and Nikita Volodin can start at the Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo for Germany. The naturalization of Volodin, born in Saint Petersburg, has been carried out, as the 26-year-old announced on Tuesday at the Olympic Barbecue of the Berlin Olympic Bunde.
“When Minerva and I talk about ourselves, it is primarily the chance for both of us to represent Germany at the upcoming Olympic Games. It is very important for us that we can concentrate on training,” said Volodin, who had already received his German passport on August 21. German citizenship is a prerequisite for a nomination and starting authorization of the couple in the winter games beginning in 150 days (February 6 to 22, 2026).
Through silver at the World Cup in Boston last March, Hase/Volodin of the German ice skating union secured two quota places for the games in Italy. The big question mark was therefore not behind the couple’s sporting performance, but behind the language test, which the Volodin, which had been running for almost three years, had to exist for almost three years.
“It was a very difficult phase for me. In addition to training, I had to focus on learning German for level B1. It was not always easy,” said the Russian native: “But I am very happy that it worked in the end. For me personally it means a lot. I now have a second home as if I was born in Berlin on August 21st.”
Hase was also relieved: “With the naturalization certificate, Nikita has also made the last hurdle with regard to the Olympics for us as a couple. The focus can now focus on training and we know that we have everything we need purely bureaucratically. Now it is up to us to show our potential.”