The International Figure Skating Union (ISU) will hold a vote at its Congress in June on a proposal to raise the minimum age for athletes to 17, the governing organization told CNN on Friday.
A drug test in December 2021 resulted in 15-year-old Russian skater Kamila Valieva being allowed to continue competing at the Beijing Games despite failing the test.
Due to “exceptional circumstances,” including her position as a “protected person” under the World Anti-Doping Code — as a minor – the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) concluded Valieva should be permitted to compete.
Questions have also surrounded the adults around the teen figure skater accountable for her skating and welfare.
Authorities from both WADA and RUSADA have indicated they will look into the 15-year-entourage old’s for possible doping violations.
“Although the ISU does not usually provide details regarding proposals that could be included in the ISU Congress Agenda prior to its official publication, considering the current situation and various media reports, the ISU can confirm that the ISU Council has already decided to include a proposal to increase the competitors’ age limit to 17 across all ISU Figure Skating disciplines,” read a statement.
The ISU Congress 2022 is set to take place from June 6-10 in Phuket, Thailand.
For proposals to be approved by the ISU, a vote of two-thirds of the ISU members is required, the organization added. The agenda for the Congress is anticipated to be released on April 30, 2022.