Latest Sports News Latest Regulations Ice Skating Minimum Age to Compete

Latest Sports News Latest Regulations Ice Skating Minimum Age to Compete. Ice skaters must be at least 17 years old to participate in senior competitions. After the sport’s governing body voted on Tuesday (June 7) to raise the minimum age from 15. The decision of the International Skating Union (ISU) congress in Phuket, Thailand, comes months after the Beijing Winter Olympics drug scandal. Which involved 15-year-old Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva.

“This is a very historic decision,” said ISU president Jan Dijkema, after 100 countries voted in favor of the measure, with only 16 against.

Valieva failed a pre-match drug test but was allowed to compete. And then broke down after falling several times during his performance, with the global spotlight on him. He finished medals off medals with questions swirling about his entourage’s impact after a tense and tearful post-routine meeting with his coach. ISU said that raising the age limit had been on its agenda long before the Valieva case. And admits that it has an obligation to care for elite teenage athletes. The changes will be made gradually over the coming years, reaching the age of 17 in the 2024/25 season. Ahead of the vote, ISU director general Fredi Schmid acknowledged that the agency had faced media pressure. And a “big attack” after the Olympics and reminding delegates that the reputation of the sport is at stake.

Majority Support Age Limit Decision

“The moment of truth is clear today as ISU’s credibility will also be scrutinized. The media and the public will be watching us closely, so don’t forget this,” he said. The skating body’s medical advice supports raising the age limit to 17. On the grounds, it will benefit young skaters physically and mentally and help prolong their careers.

“I feel as a skating administrator, it’s a moral obligation. And it’s your duty to give these young skaters the opportunity and time to develop the skills they need to succeed at the senior level.” Dr Jane Moran of the body’s medical commission said.

“They have the right to develop themselves as human beings in their teens. They don’t need us to force them to compete.” A medical report said the changes would give junior athletes time to reach skeletal maturity.

“The concern is that during periods of known skeletal vulnerability, adolescent athletes may be exposed to the excessive training and competition loads associated with high-level competition. That puts athletes at greater risk of injury.” said the medical report. It also warns that some elite teenage athletes may experience a delay of puberty by an average of two years as a result of the physical demands of training and inadequate energy intake. It is noted that some people are at greater risk of developing eating disorders. The Athlete Commission surveyed nearly 1,000 athletes and coaches, and 86 percent supported lifting the age limit.

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