The minimum age for elite skaters will be phased in over three years and be in place in time for the 2026 Olympics.
Figure skating’s global governing body voted Tuesday to gradually increase the minimum age limit for elite competitors to 17 over the next three years. It characterized the move as an effort to safeguard “the physical and mental health, and emotional well-being” of skaters, but made its decision only after facing worldwide criticism for a doping scandal involving a 15-year-old Russian champion that marred the women’s singles event at this year’s Beijing Winter Olympics.