Athletistic/ Figure Skating. The YouTube channel Queens On Ice posted a video in which the authors discussed the increased age limit in figure skating and imagined what the female podiums of the biggest tournaments in the world would look like if only skaters over 17 years old were previously allowed.

In this case, not only Russian women, for example Yulia Lipnitskaya, Elena Radionova and Alina Zagitova, but also American athletes: Alice Liu, Tara Lipinski and Michelle Kwan, would have missed the medals.

Previously, we knew that the increase in the age limit in figure skating would be done gradually. Also at the congress, the suspension of Russian skaters from international competitions was extended until further notice.

The International Skating Union’s decision to raise the age limit was influenced by the scandal at the 2022 Olympics in Beijing. 15-year-old Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva, who helped Russia win a gold medal in the team competition, was found guilty of doping but was too young to be held responsible.

Here’s how strangers on social media reacted to ISU’s innovations:

Ariana Natali Hernandez Landaeta:
– I started following figure skating only because of the Russians. What difference does it make what the ISU says? I look forward to Russian national competitions, they are the titans of this sport.

Kerry Perryman:
– I think that Russia will soon return to the world stage and age-related changes will not seriously affect the place that Russian athletes will take. Skaters will simply modify their strategy to accommodate the new rules. There is nothing to fear here.

Maria Ajian:
– Even if the age limit had been introduced earlier, the Russians would still win. To be honest, they are all much better than the others. And not just skaters under 17. But the new rules will help prolong the careers of female athletes and keep them healthy. In recent years, we have seen many young stars who have shown incredible results, but very soon retired due to injuries. These rules are designed to protect these children.

Maoui but no:
– It’s nice to watch Russian skaters. They are constantly doing something new, even a beginner understands that they are above the rest. The problem is that the new rules will hamper that progress. That’s a shame.

Joe Casner:
– Russian women are the best, and the new rules will not affect this in any way. But ISU has lost all respect in my eyes. One has the impression that they put spokes in the wheels on purpose.

Masters Francescoli:
– Russian figure skaters have shown the world what skill, real talent and beauty are. Now we can’t settle for less, and any attempt by the ISU to hurt them will be in vain.

Ashley Winston:
– I think it’s the right decision. He matured and was finally accepted. Children should not be allowed into this “hell” of adult competitions. Everything must be progressive.

Kate Kiss:
– 15-year-olds have nothing to compete with adults. They are still children! You have to think about their psyche and their health. I support these innovations.

jjsmith:
– Just create a Russian world championship with a dozen 15-year-old athletes who can jump 5 quads in one program…

On June 15, the composition of the Russian national figure skating team for the 2022/23 season was published. The corresponding document was published by the Ministry of Sports of the Russian Federation.

The composition looks like this:

Women: Kamila Valieva, Sofya Muravyova, Adelia Petrosyan, Alexandra Trusova, Elizaveta Tuktamysheva, Anna Shcherbakova.

Men: Piotr Gumennik, Mikhail Kolyada, Mark Kondratyuk, Andrey Mozalev, Alexander Samarin, Evgeny Semenenko.

Pair skating: Karina Akopova/Nikita Rakhmanin, Alexandra Boykova/Dmitry Kozlovsky, Anastasia Mishina/Alexander Gallyamov, Daria Pavlyuchenko/Denis Khodykin, Evgenia Tarasova/Vladimir Morozov.

Ice dancing: Annabel Morozov / David Narizhny, Victoria Sinitsina / Nikita Katsalapov, Alexandra Stepanova / Ivan Bukin, Irina Khavronina / Dario Chirizano, Elizaveta Khudaiberdieva / Egor Bazin, Diana Davis / Gleb Smolkin.

Andrei Lipatov, Sport.Ru