Figure skating-ISU proposes raising minimum age to 17 for competitions

FILE PHOTO: 2022 Beijing Olympics - Figure Skating - Women Single Skating - Free Skating - Capital Indoor Stadium, Beijing, China - February 17, 2022. Kamila Valieva of the Russian Olympic Committee reacts after competing REUTERS/Phil Noble/File Photo

(Reuters) - The International Skating Union (ISU) has proposed raising the minimum age for senior figure skating competitions to 17 from 15 before the 2026 Winter Olympics to help young athletes cope with the physical and psychological demands of the sport.

Under proposals listed in the agenda for its 58th congress in Thailand next month, the sport's governing body said it hoped to gradually increase the minimum age over the next three years before the Milano Cortina Games.