Valieva Case Boosts Drive To Raise Age Limit At Olympics

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.

They argue it would protect child athletes’ welfare and reduce injury risks from intense training.

HISTORY on the ice. Today's @Toyota #TalkinOlympics Most Tweeted Moment was Kamila Valieva's historic quad in the figure skating team event. pic.twitter.com/pGaEoqAwWL

— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) February 7, 2022

American skater Mariah Bell is among several who say they would back a change.

Valieva fell twice during her final routine on Thursday and ended up in fourth place.

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