At a Glance
- Alisa Efimova and Misha Mitrofanov won the U.S. Figure Skating Championships but won’t compete for Team USA in Milan
- Efimova’s Finnish citizenship and an unsuccessful expedited naturalization attempt blocked Olympic eligibility
- Ellie Kam/Danny O’Shea and Emily Chan/Spencer Howe will represent the U.S. in pairs instead
- Why it matters: A national title doesn’t guarantee Olympic participation when citizenship rules intervene
Alisa Efimova and Misha Mitrofanov captured gold at the 2026 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, yet the husband-and-wife pair will watch the Winter Olympics from home. Despite topping the podium on January 11, Efimova’s citizenship status kept the team off Team USA’s roster for Milan.
Citizenship Clock Runs Out
Efimova, 26, was born in Finland and remains a Finnish citizen. She is currently within a three-year waiting period required before she can become an American citizen. U.S. Figure Skating and the couple explored fast-tracking the process, but the effort failed, according to the Associated Press. Without U.S. citizenship, Efimova is ineligible to compete for the United States at the Games.
New Team USA Pairs Announced
With Efimova and Mitrofanov out, U.S. Figure Skating awarded the two pairs spots to:
- Ellie Kam and Danny O’Shea – silver medalists at nationals
- Emily Chan and Spencer Howe – fourth-place finishers at nationals
The announcement came during the official team naming ceremony on Sunday, January 11. Chan and Howe, who train at the Skating Club of Boston alongside Efimova and Mitrofanov, received loud support from the local crowd.
Public Goodbye at Boston Send-off
On Wednesday, January 14, the Skating Club of Boston hosted a send-off for its three Olympic athletes: Maxim Naumov (bronze medalist in men’s singles) and the pairs teams of Chan/Howe and Kam/O’Shea. Efimova and Mitrofanov attended to support their training mates despite their own disappointment.
Mitrofanov addressed the audience, framing the situation as a learning experience: “Yes, we didn’t make it, but we don’t see that as a failure. Hey, this was an opportunity. It may not have worked out. But so many great things have come from it that we are very happy moving forward.”
Governing Body Responds
U.S. Figure Skating CEO Matt Farrell acknowledged the awkwardness of leaving the national champions at home. Speaking after the team announcement, he said, “There are sometimes rules … and this is not the fun part.” The federation had lobbied for expedited citizenship but hit bureaucratic barriers.
What’s Next for the Couple
Rather than competing in Milan, Efimova and Mitrofanov will:
- Four Continents Championships – Beijing, next week
- World Championships – Prague, March 2026
The Four Continents event typically features athletes who did not qualify for the Olympics, offering the pair a high-profile competition to end their season.
Long-term Olympic Hopes
Looking ahead, Mitrofanov noted that the 2030 Winter Olympics could still be on the table. By then, Efimova will be 30 and he will be 32. “Whenever we first started as a team, we didn’t know whether or not the Olympics is even a possibility. We knew it was a long shot because of the paperwork,” he recalled. “The more we progressed with our skating career, the closer we got to that opportunity.”
The pair plans to continue training together with the goal of representing the United States once citizenship paperwork is finalized.
Fan Support Pours In
Mitrofanov said public reaction has softened the blow: “There were so many people who messaged us and reached out to us wanting to support us. So, for us, we’re very grateful.” Social media campaigns and fan letters have applauded the duo for their sportsmanship and perseverance.
Key Takeaways
- A national title does not override Olympic citizenship rules
- U.S. Figure Skating faced criticism for an expedited process that never materialized
- Ellie Kam/Danny O’Shea and Emily Chan/Spencer Howe will carry U.S. pairs hopes in Milan
- Efimova and Mitrofanov shift focus to Beijing and Prague, eyeing 2030 as their next Olympic chance
