Ice skating set to progressively elevate minimal pageant age from 15 to 17 after Kamila Valieva doping scandal

The verdict, taken after a vote on the 58th Congress in Phuket, comes after Russian skater Kamila Valieva, then 15, was once embroiled in a doping scandal on the 2022 Beijing Olympics in February, which overshadowed the Video games.

In a remark launched on Twitter, the arena governing frame stated: “The ISU Congress voted in prefer of progressively expanding the age restrict from 15 to 17 years for the sake of defending the bodily and psychological well being, and emotional well-being of Skaters.

Even supposing the take a look at was once taken in December 2021, it was once best analyzed and reported to Russia’s Anti-Doping Company (RUSADA) in February, leading to Valieva’s provisional suspension — an afternoon after she helped propel the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) to a gold-medal end within the determine skating staff tournament.

However the skater was once reinstated after an enchantment and the Courtroom of Arbitration for Recreation (CAS) allowed her to compete within the Olympics, bringing up explicit provisions associated with her secure standing as a minor.

Valieva went directly to compete within the person determine skating tournament, the place she fell more than one instances and left the ice in tears, completing in fourth position.

The International Anti-Doping Company (WADA) has stated it’ll be investigating Valieva’s entourage — the adults accountable for her skating and welfare.

CNN has reached out to WADA for remark.

International Athlete, a bunch that works for alternate within the wearing international, has in the past referred to as for “rapid reform” to anti-doping methods and higher safeguarding protocols.

“Elevating the age restrict is a very powerful step however a extra essential step is to make sure athlete safeguarding protocols are installed position through all Nationwide Federations,” Rob Koehler, director basic of International Athlete, stated in a remark.

“Elevating the age restrict can’t dissolve responsibly to make sure minors are secure. Younger athletes will proceed to coach to succeed in their dream of competing across the world subsequently a variety of easiest observe protocols should be in position to give protection to each and every younger kid coming into the game. This has to incorporate 3rd birthday celebration impartial reporting traces.”