Minimum ages for figure skaters? Some at the Beijing Olympics say it's a good idea

[Jilly_in_VA]

Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva finished her short program routine earlier this week and promptly burst into tears. After skating off the ice, the emotional Valieva grabbed a stuffed animal her coach handed her and waited to be judged. She ended the program in first place.

For days leading up to her event, the 15-year-old skater faced intense scrutiny after a pre-Games doping violation came to light. She was still allowed to compete at the women's figure skating final on Thursday despite this violation, and ultimately placed fourth after multiple stumbles.

Valieva's participation in the Games after the positive test was met with harsh criticism — but even some of these critics say that ultimately the teen doesn't bear all of the blame here. At such a young age, Valieva is being guided by a team of adults — officials and coaches that make decisions for her.

Former Olympic figure skater Adam Rippon recently criticized Valieva's team. Rippon coaches U.S. figure skater Mariah Bell.

"Valieva is 15. I doubt very much she knowingly doped. She's a minor. The adults completely failed her," he told NPR.

https://www.npr.org/2022/02/17/1081030007/valieva-figure-skating-minimum-age-limits
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I would prefer that all Olympic athletes be at least 18.

[lapfog_1]

1. for various physiological reasons

gymnasts and figure skaters typically "peak" at ages less than 18.

This has to do with body mass, center of gravity, etc.

Not saying we couldn't institute a rule that all athletes should be over 18, but since the Olympics only happen every 4 years, it would exclude some competitors that were say 17.5 right now, but would be 21.5 by the time of the next Olympics and likely not at their peak performance anymore.

[Jilly_in_VA]

4. There is a "birthday rule"

that allows for this, as I understand it. If an athlete turns that age during the Olympic year they're allowed to compete.

And perhaps you ought to take a gander at college gymnasts. SEC and Big Ten networks both feature them at this time of year. They are pretty darn fancy and prove that you don't have to be a skinny 15 year old with an eating disorder to be great.

[RainCaster]

2. Ages would be falsified by Russia

The ROC is a farce. Russia needs to be banned from the Olympics completely for a significant length of time. They have no shame, no morals, they are desperate to show their superiority to the world.

[ProudMNDemocrat]

3. For the Summer Olympics, it is 16 I believe.

16 and CLEAN.

ALL competitors need to be drug tested. No country should have advantages for strength, endurance, speed, etc. Even medications are considered suspect if an Athlete does not have a medical need for them.

I remember from the 1970's, then East Germany had female swimners and weight lifters who resembled men. It was obvious they were taking anabolic steroids.

There needs to be a universal consensus amongst the IOC and competing nations on minimum age for team competition.