In response to Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ congratulations on her silver medal at the European Open Track Championships in Rome, Katerina Stefanidis expressed a personal concern and made a request. The decorated Greek gymnast, after thanking Mitsotakis online, urged him to approve the 2020 application for honorary citizenship for her American husband and coach, Mitchell Krier. She emphasized the need for this approval to ensure uninterrupted preparation for the Olympics, stating, “With his extensive medal count, I believe it’s justified.”

“Mr. Prime Minister, thank you for your kind words. I kindly request the approval of the 2020 application for honorary citizenship for my husband and coach, so that our Olympic preparations can proceed without disruption. Given his achievements, I believe he deserves it,” the Greek champion wrote specifically on Twitter.

Stefanidi also engaged with comments under her post, explaining the rationale behind her request for her husband. “An American can stay in Greece for up to 90 days, and we’ve already used 60,” she clarified in response to one query. Addressing another related question, she noted that he is not automatically eligible for a Greek passport despite their marriage, highlighting that she seeks this for him to reside in Greece for four months, not for a work visa.