The minimum age to compete in figure skating is raised from 15 to 17

The International Skating Union (ISU) decided this Tuesday raising the minimum age for figure skaters to participate in adult competitions from 15 to 17 years.

(You can read: An athlete freezes his penis due to low temperatures in the Games).

The decision was adopted by vote at the ISU congress in Phuket, Thailand, and comes months after the Beijing Winter Olympics doping scandal involving then-15-year-old Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva.

“It’s a historic decisionISU President Jan Dijkema said after more than 100 countries voted to support the measure and 16 opposed it.

(You may be interested: This is how the Colombian Laura Gómez was left without a final in the Winter Olympics).

The case of Kamila Valieva

Valieva, one of the favorites for the Olympic title, failed pre-game doping tests but was allowed to compete. However, after the doping scandal broke, The athlete failed her exercises and collapsed several times during her presentation.

(We recommend you read: Russian skater, positive for doping, fails to medal at the Olympic Games).

Following his disastrous performance, questions about the influence of his surroundings arose after a tense exchange with his coach.

The ISU had insisted on raising the age limit before the Valieva incident and recognized that it has a duty of care to elite teenage athletes. This change will be implemented gradually over the next few years.

AFP