beijing 2022 winter olympics

Valieva case boosts drive to raise age limit at Olympics

22 Comments
By JAMES ELLINGWORTH

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“They remember (1984 and 1988 Olympic champion) Katarina Witt still, and that’s not because of the difficult jumps. It was because of the performance.”

That is exactly why I only watch Hanyu! His and only his performance that I remember, he has a story to tell and it is artistic. All the others are just technicians counting points, there is no story nor elegance in their performances. This drive for higher turns is driving art out of Figure Skating!!!

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

It does not matter at what age one can compete at Olympics, training will always start at 3 years old. If one doesn't, you will not be flexible enough nor strong enough. Therefore increasing the age limit, will not prevent: "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."

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Stop doping children

3 ( +8 / -5 )

Raising the age of participation would help prepare these potential athletes physically, mentally AND psychologically to handle the rigors of professional competition in an evermore intensely scrutinizing world.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

It also may draw the world’s attention to where some countries & cultures often blur the lines between self-determined life choices and child exploitation in other fields like industry and entertainment.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

The task at hand is to fully investigate how a banned substance found its way into Kamila Valieva blood stream

If Russian coach Eteri Tutberidze, coaching staff, doctors and trainers are involved and found complicit then examples have to be made.

These are criminal offences of abuse of young girls.    

This could be open to a full judicial inquiry, with custodial sentences and life bans.

Then take a closer look and debate minimum age requirements

I am sure the sporting community has always ready reviewed age restrictions with artistic gymnastics

3 ( +4 / -1 )

I remember when Asada Mao wasn't allowed in the Olympics when she was 15 turning 16. Never understood this.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

*That is exactly why I only watch Hanyu! His and only his performance that I remember, he has a story to tell and it is artistic. All the others are just technicians counting points, there is no story nor elegance in their performances. This drive for higher turns is driving art out of Figure Skating!!!*

If you only watch Hanyu and not the other skaters then how do you know and arrive at the conclusion that

they are nothing but technicians counting points ?

I see nothing but stereotype in your thinking.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Her comments are a little self-serving because she's 25 and can never compete with young Russian girls.

However, none of the young Russian technicians survived past 18 years old and kept their jumps, so she's right.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Definitely, is they aren't old enough to legally ====, they should be home with their mothers watching it on TV. 16 seems about right, 18 okay anywhere so perhaps the Olympics meet it halfway and say 17.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The task at hand is to fully investigate how a banned substance found its way into Kamila Valieva blood stream

If Russian coach Eteri Tutberidze, coaching staff, doctors and trainers are involved and found complicit then examples have to be made.

The fact it's acknowledged not to be a PED but banned for a similar reason as weed is banned, the fact Russians have been wildly publicized getting into trouble with it previously and the fact it took 6 weeks to come to light is stupidly rotten. So ridiculous it seems like a Russian scam meant to discredit WADA and the lab in Stockholm.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

She’s only 15 years old and she’s been taking 3 different types of performance enhancing drugs, which means she’s either a doctor or somebody’s been assisting her. She’s a cheat and has absolutely no business being there.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

According to this article they found 'around 200 times the amount' of other athletes' tainted samples.

https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/e79fef39c7deb9f12b6ed4c4d718ca1c839af673

タイガート委員長は「ワリエワの尿サンプルから検出されたトリメタジジンの濃度は1ミリリットルあたり2.1ナノグラムと分析された」とし「これはサンプル汚染と判明した他のスポーツ選手のサンプルと比較して約200倍多い量」と指摘した。

2 ( +2 / -0 )

In English, from here: https://sports.yahoo.com/kamila-valieva-took-2-other-heart-medications-raising-serious-questions-about-grandfather-excuse-111948368.html

"When asked about the possibility that one of the permitted substances had been contaminated with TMZ, Tygart said that the amount of TMZ found in Valieva’s system — 2.1 nanograms per millileter — was roughly 200 times as much as was found in the sample of another athlete who previously proved contamination."

3 ( +3 / -0 )

And what about other sports like gymnastics and diving where children with child bodies are competing against people twice their age? There has always been a joke about NK and Chinese athletes in both those sports being 9 yrs old, not 14.

Valieva was doping. No question. Her coaches need a lifetime ban. Any medals she gets need to be stripped. Don't reward cheaters.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Reckless, do you think that one of her Russian skating rivals might have spiked her food (or drink)?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@paul -

"...That is exactly why I only watch Hanyu! His and only his performance that I remember, he has a story to tell and it is artistic. All the others are just technicians counting points, there is no story nor elegance in their performances. This drive for higher turns is driving art out of Figure Skating!!!.."

You are aware then that Hanyu is the leading force for technical challenges in ice skating today.

His seemingly obsession with the Quad Axel has no doubt seen him lose the chance to medal at these olympics.

He has publicly acknowledged that a recent fall in practice while attempting the Q.A. left him with an ankle injury (one of a number in his career by pushing the technical envelope)

But even so, he still tried to carry out the Q.A. in contest last week after receiving pain killer shots into the ankle.

To quote you @paul, Hanyu's "drive for higher turns is driving art out of Figure Skating!!!.."

1 ( +1 / -0 )

The best course of action is for Kamila Valieva withdraw from the game. It would be the right thing to do.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Raising the age limit can also let kids grow to have minds of their own and think for themselves and want goes in to their bodies, instead of simply trusting the grown-ups around them not to feed them PEDs

2 ( +2 / -0 )

She lost in the woman’s single events and didn’t get a medal for that. Now the media can stop bashing her. The investigation hasn’t been completed into her doping but the media already delivered the verdict of guilty since she was Russian. In case of Russia or China the international community is super fast to condemn and bash ordinary people who aren’t connected to the Government. If this was an American then the international media and community would have played the minor ( under 16 ) card and hid her name and fought for her rather than bash her!

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

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