Albania may soon bid farewell to one of its brightest young stars in alpine skiing. Lara Colturi, the Italian-born skier who has proudly represented Albania in recent international competitions, including the recently concluded World Championship, has officially requested to switch allegiances and compete for her native country, Italy.
Colturi, just 18 years old, has earned admiration for her exceptional performances under the Albanian flag. However, despite her success, her representatives submitted a formal request for her to join the Italian team just days before the World Championship ended. Italy had long been monitoring her situation, and now it seems that the move could become a reality.
As of now, the Albanian National Olympic Committee has not issued a formal response to the request. Nevertheless, there is a possibility that Colturi could make a unilateral decision to switch national teams. This option, however, could come at a high cost — she may be forced to sit out for an entire year, unable to compete in international skiing events. Her representatives are reportedly working hard to avoid this outcome.
The situation becomes even more urgent with the upcoming Winter Olympics and next year's World Championship on the horizon. Colturi’s participation in these key events could be jeopardized if a swift resolution is not reached. All eyes are now on May 1st — the final deadline for the Executive Committee to register such changes — which could determine the future of one of skiing's most promising young talents.
Regardless of the outcome, Colturi's decision marks a turning point not only for her career but also for Albanian skiing, which has benefited greatly from her presence on the international stage.