International Skating Union to propose higher minimum age

[Sherman A1]

Officials with the International Skating Union have told NHK they will use its June general assembly to propose that the minimum age of figure skaters in senior competitions, including the Olympics, be raised from the current 15 to 17.

The Beijing skating program has been overshadowed by a doping scandal surrounding 15-year-old Kamila Valieva from the Russian Olympic Committee.

Valieva was suspended earlier in the Games after it was revealed a sample she submitted at an event in December had tested positive for a banned substance.

However, the Court of Arbitration for Sport allowed her to continue competing. Her age makes her a so-called "protected person," which allowed her to compete despite failing a drugs test.
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220220_01/

[TexasTowelie]

1. Seems reasonable

and it will also allow the skaters to develop their artistry which should lead to longer careers as adults.

[MacKasey]

2. Totally agree

And give more points for artistic performance

[Rocknation]

3. Exactly what problem would that solve?

Last edited Tue Mar 1, 2022, 01:02 PM - Edit history (3)

It certainly won't solve the doping problem any more than allowing a country caught doping to compete under a different name.

The CAS ruling was a scandal: athletes testing for banned substances SHOULD be banned regardless of the circumstances, simply because it also "protects" the athletes who DON'T use them.

But since Ms. Valieva is a minor, let's see how eager the "adults in the room" are to "protect" her by uncovering and punishing those responsible for getting those drugs into her.


Rocknation