Zhodzik, who became a Polish citizen earlier this year, was last month cleared to compete for the country.
The World Athletics organisation announced on its website on June 20 that Zhodzik "is eligible to represent Poland in national representative competitions."
Zhodzik was in March granted Polish citizenship, a decision made by President Andrzej Duda and announced by the Polish Athletic Association (PZLA).
This opened the door for her to represent Poland at international competitions, including the Olympic Games in Paris, which open next week.
"I am proud to represent Poland, the country of my ancestors," Zhodzik said at the time, telling reporters that she was thrilled about becoming a Polish citizen and being able to compete "wearing Polish national colours."
Radosław Piesiewicz, the head of the Polish Olympic Committee (PKOl), which played a significant role in expediting the citizenship process, has said he is optimistic about Zhodzik's career prospects as an athlete.
"I believe her story, which has been quite challenging, will have a happy ending in Paris," Piesiewicz said.
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.
Maryia Zhodzik. Photo: PAP/Grzegorz Michałowski
Her impressive performance at the Polish indoor championships in Toruń, where she jumped her personal best of 1.97 metres, has placed her within the sights of the world's elite in her discipline.
Before this achievement, her outdoor best was 1.96 metres, and her indoor record stood at 1.89 metres.
After becoming a Polish citizen, Maryia Zhodzik is now known as Maria Żodzik. Photo: PAP/Krzysztof Świderski
The world record in the women's high jump was recently set at 2.10 metres by Ukraine's 22-year-old Yaroslava Mahuchikh.
Competing in the Paris Diamond League on July 7, the reigning world and European champion broke the long-standing record of Bulgarian jumper Stefka Kostadinova.
Kostadinova’s previous mark of 2.09 metres had stood since the 1987 World Athletics Championships in Rome.
A contingent of 213 Polish athletes is gearing up to compete in the 2024 Summer Olympic Games, which will be held in Paris from July 26 to August 11.
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Source: IAR, PAP, pzla.pl, european-athletics.com, przegladsportowy.onet.pl
