Kamila Valieva doping case sparks Winter Olympic debate on minimum age for athletes

The doping case involving Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva has led to many more questions than answers.

Some skaters think it's time to ask, should a 15-year-old be in the Olympics at all?

«You want these athletes to have an opportunity to have this be a profession, not a one-year run at it,» Mariah Bell, at 25 the oldest US national champion in nearly a century, said.

«If we had an age [minimum] limit, I think it would promote that idea of longevity and somebody being 25 wouldn't be shocking at an Olympics.»

Valieva will be competing in the women's single skating final on Thursday night from 9pm AEDT.

Valieva was allowed to skate in the short program partly because her age gave 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. Bell suggested a minimum of 18.

Reformers argue a change would protect the wellbeing of child athletes and reduce the risk of injuries from straining the body into ever-more spectacular jumps.

«I think that [the Valieva case] really will push this forward and hopefully it will also put this question forward to other sports federations,» Norwegian Skating Federation president Mona Adolfsen said.

«Valieva is a child, so whatever happened we feel sorry for her.»

The issue is expected to go to a vote at the International Skating Union congress in June. It's unclear if it will pass.

Russia is opposed and the United States and Canada declined to say how they'll vote.

The Valieva doping case has put the spotlight on Russian coach Eteri Tutberidze, who transformed the sport with a «Quad Squad» performing risky but high-scoring quadruple jumps.

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