“In the Loop” is a column by Valerie Fang dedicated to the sport of figure skating.
Welcome back to another special edition of “In the Loop”, where the column answers a reader’s question. After Kamila Valieva’s doping scandal at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, the International Skating Union (ISU) decided to raise the minimum age for competing in senior competitions from 15 to 17 years old. The minimum age has become 16 years old for this season and will continue increasing by one year to reach 17 years old for the upcoming 2024-25 season, just in time for the next Winter Olympics in Milan.
Q: Following what transpired with Valieva, there was a committed push to age restrictions for skaters, which seem to be governance that could help some athletes, but also hinder others. Do you believe this measure is a temporary consideration for the sport, or a true future governance that will remain in place and become the norm as something that does stick for future generations of athletes who will have to measure the months of their ages to get the opportunity to compete?
A: I believe this rule change is intended to be permanent and have a lasting impact on the sport. This measure was passed by the ISU Congress with overwhelming support, so I can’t help but think this decision was a long time in the making. What happened with Kamila Valieva at the Beijing Winter Olympics was the perfect opportunity for the ISU officials to finally act on it.
I completely agree with the idea that while raising the minimum age is helpful for some figure skaters, it also gives others and their fans frustrations. My favorite junior skater is Mao Shimada. Personally, I think she is on the track to become another legend in the sport and definitely surpass her namesake senpai. Before the rule change, I was very much looking forward to seeing her at Milan 2026.
But, obviously, this will not happen anymore, since she will be about four months away from turning 17 years old by the start date of that season. I know some skaters have already expressed disappointment regarding the delay in joining senior competitions. And at least for me, there will be some mixed feelings about missing the big showdown between Shimada and Shin Ji-a of South Korea at the next Winter Olympics.
I thought a bit about how this measure can mean different things for different groups of skaters (on the premise of Russia’s return by 2026 and only focusing on women’s single events). In a sense, this is good news for some adult skaters. In a previous article, I mentioned how, in a way, junior competitions are more “exciting” to watch than senior ones because many junior skaters are attempting more challenging jumps. Shimada is now able to consistently land triple axel and quadruple toe loop, elements that few current adult skaters can master. Maybe delaying the entry of younger skaters is giving the current seniors just a few more years to dominate the rink.
For the juniors, the challenge would be, as always, to get through growth spurts as they transition into senior events. The increased minimum age might have hindered them from getting those competition experiences, but they could use the extra time to better prepare for senior debuts.
The situation is perhaps most complicated for the Russians. Another reader messaged me that it would be interesting to see if Tutberidze could keep producing champions when the minimum age eventually reaches the “Eteri Expiration Date.” Will she adjust her coaching methods to something healthier and more sustainable?
At any rate, I still believe the benefits from increasing the minimum age outweigh the disappointments. We can all agree that it can reduce any abuse and exploitation of children athletes, both physically and mentally. I’m glad that now it’s clearer how the distinction between juniors and seniors is marked by differences in not only their techniques, but also their mental and emotional states.
So, yeah, I think this new protection for adolescent athletes will stick around, and should stick around.
“In the Loop” runs every other Friday.