Valieva Case Boosts Drive To Raise Age Limit At Olympics
Feb 16, 2022, 9:58 AM
(Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)
BEIJING (AP) — Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva was allowed to skate at the Olympics in the short program partly because her age gives her extra rights as a “protected person” in a doping case.
It comes as some skating officials push to raise the minimum age for her event from 15 to 17 in time for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics.
U.S. Olympic figure skater @AdamRippon said Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva's participation in the #Beijing2022 Winter Games after having tested positive for a banned substance was a 'complete slap in the face' for athletes pic.twitter.com/VnoY0iDuOs
— Reuters (@Reuters) February 16, 2022
They argue it would protect child athletes’ welfare and reduce injury risks from intense training.
American skater Mariah Bell is among several who say they would back a change.
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