World champion figure skater Deanna Stellato-Dudek becomes Canadian citizen | CBC Sports

World champion figure skater Deanna Stellato-Dudek has gained Canadian citizenship.

She took the oath of citizenship Wednesday in Montreal, making her eligible to represent Canada at the Olympic Games.

The 41-year-old pairs skater won gold with partner Maxime Deschamps at the world championships in March, becoming the oldest woman to win a world figure skating title.

“Taking the oath of citizenship in Canada is an overwhelming honor and I’m filled with gratitude towards everyone who believed in me and helped me get here,” she said. “I continue to be grateful to compete under the Canadian flag and anthem and can’t wait for my first international event as an official Canadian citizen with my partner Maxime.”

Born and raised in the United States, Stellato-Dudek has lived in Canada and represented the country in international competitions since teaming up in 2019 with Deschamps, a 32-year-old from Vaudreuil-Dorion, Que.

WATCH | Grand Prix Final recap: 

Stellato-Dudek, a former world junior silver medallist, retired at 17 because of a hip injury until returning to skating 16 years later with a dream of winning an Olympic medal. The Chicago native initially skated with fellow American Nathan Bartholomay for three years before moving north to partner with Deschamps.

Stellato-Dudek said earlier this year she filed the necessary paperwork for Canadian citizenship. She also started an online petition that garnered nearly 10,000 signatures.