You won’t have 15-year old figure skaters to kick around anymore

The Olympics figure skating finals had a hot garbage fire. If you don't remember, let me jog your memory, because 15-year-old star Kamila Valieva, the center of a Russian Olympic Committee DOPING scandal, cried after falling twice as the pressure of thePED investigation got to her. Valieva's teammate, sitting quietly and alone on the sidelines, told reporters that she felt empty after the victory. A Russian girl crying and yelling that she hated the sport and never wanted to skate again after winning a silver medal at the Olympics. Three teenage girls had a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The minimum age for Olympic-level skating will be raised from 15 to 17 years old. Current young figure skaters will be able to age into the requirements when the shift is gradual, going from 16 to 17 for the next two seasons. The change is meant to protect the physical and mental health of skaters. Figure skaters, ice dancers, speed skaters, and synchronized skaters will be the first to experience the change.

This decision was affected by the Valieva saga. The governing body decided that she didn't seek out and take the drugs of her own free will and volition but that allowance proved to have an enormous impact on her.

The age minimum for high-level competition has been raised. Current and former skaters believe that a higher age minimum will allow them to make better decisions and have a better perspective on their situation. Athletes have been open about their struggles with body image issues, eating disorders, mental and emotional well-being, and an abusive coaching culture that leads to things like, for example, being givenPEDs and used as an unwilling pawn on your country's quest for glory.

While this change won't stop the abusive culture of the sport completely, as 17-year-olds are still vulnerable and as younger girls will continue to compete in non- Olympic events, it's mostly seen as a positive shift for the sport. Skaters might be able to make the sport more of a profession, rather than only having a single shot at the Olympics, if it is allowed.

Hopefully this will stop the Valieva situation. There are three things in life that are guaranteed. Doped skaters won't be as young as they used to be.