Figure skating body details proposal to hike age limit to 17

GENEVA –

The figure skating governing body has proposed that the Olympic and other international events raise the age limit for athletes to 17.

It was already expected that the proposal would be made before Kamila Valieva, 15, who did not dope in her case at Beijing Olympics in February, dominated the women’s event.

The International Skating Union (ISU) wants the new age limit to be phased in prior to the 2026 Olympics in Italy. They published a proposal that will be voted upon at their June 5-10 meetings in Thailand.

Although 15-year-olds can still compete in the next season, the limit will be raised to 16 for the season 2023-24. It would be 17 in the next year, which is the last season before the 2026 Winter Games.

The ISU’s medical board raised concerns about young skaters performing quadruple jumps.

According to medical experts, the governing body has a responsibility to ensure the safety and health of all athletes, including elite adolescent athletes.

As the gold medal favourite, Valieva was placed under severe stress in Beijing. Her positive doping test from Russia was later revealed.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport allowed her to continue to compete while she waited for the Russian investigation. However, her program was not contaminated with any errors and she fell to fourth place. Eteri Tutberidze, her coach, then criticised her rinkside.

Thomas Bach, the president of the IOC, later spoke out about the “tremendous coldness” in the Russian entourage. Alexandra Trusova (17 years old) seemed also distressed after her competition. Anna Shcherbakova, the gold medalist, was 17.

After a submission from the Norwegian skating federation, the ISU’s ruling Council has made the age-limit proposal.

The Norwegians believe that rules and competition should be set up to support a long-lasting career in the sport. saidIt was striking to see how fast women’s Olympic champions have left figure skating.

Five gold medalists at the Winter Games in 1994-1818 were 15-17 years old. However, none of them continued to compete beyond the next year’s world championships. said.

“The ISU must also think about the image they want as junior and senior champions,” its medical advisors advised. said.

At their congress in Phuket, ISU member Federations will vote on the proposal for an age limit.