This opens the door for Zhodzik to represent Poland at international competitions, including potentially the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris this summer.
Zhodzik, 27, has been living in Poland since 2022 and has found a second home in the eastern city of Białystok, where she trains with coach Robert Nazarkiewicz at the Podlasie Białystok club.
Her impressive performance at the Polish indoor championships in Toruń, where she jumped her personal best of 1.97 meters, has placed her within the sights of the world's elite in her discipline.
Before this achievement, her outdoor best was 1.96 meters, and her indoor record stood at 1.89 meters.
The world record in the women's high jump has stood unbeaten since 1987 when Bulgarian jumper Stefka Kostadinova cleared 2.09 meters at the World Athletics Championships in Rome.
The PZLA stressed Zhodzik's Polish heritage as a key factor in the decision-making process.
The next steps involve the PZLA's efforts to obtain approval from World Athletics, the track-and-field governing body, for Zhodzik to represent Poland at international events.
According to PZLA vice-president and Olympic mission chief Tomasz Majewski, Zhodzik could be eligible to represent Poland as soon as June 20, three years after her last appearance for Belarus.
A special panel at World Athletics will make the final decision on the change of national colors.
"I am thrilled that the president has granted me Polish citizenship," said Zhodzik, expressing her gratitude and anticipation for the future.
"I am proud to represent Poland, the country of my ancestors," she added. "I hope the procedures with World Athletics will proceed smoothly, and I can soon compete wearing Polish national colors."
Radosław Piesiewicz, the president of the Polish Olympic Committee (PKOl), who played a significant role in the citizenship process, expressed his satisfaction and optimism for Zhodzik's future.
"I believe her story, which has been quite challenging, will have a happy ending in Paris," he said.
(rt/gs)
Source: PAP
