In a historic move, figure ice skating has raised the minimum age to 17 for senior competitions

The International Skating Union has raised the minimum age from 15 to 17 for senior ice skating competitions, coming into effect for the 2024-2025 season.

In total, 100 countries backed the move, and just 16 opposed it. Rounds of applause filled the room as the decision was announced.

The ISU says the decision has been on the table for years but concerns over adolescent athletes’ well-being have cemented it into action.

The medical advice given to the sporting body said that raising the age limit would ‘benefit the athletes both mentally and physically.’

It follows a drug scandal at the Beijing Winter Olympics drugs involving 15-year-old Russian figure skater, Kamila Valieva.

Valieva failed a pre-Games drugs test, with the global spotlight on the adolescent and the lengths she was willing to go to.

Before the vote, the ISU director-general Fredi Schmid encouraged countries to enforce the change saying “the moment of truth is obviously today because the credibility of the ISU will also be scrutinised”.

The countries that opposed the move argue that raising the age will negatively impact athletes’ ability to reach elite levels.

But countries including Ireland counter these arguments saying “they are children first and athletes second,”