Exemptions from the Age Rule

[Winnipeg]

Is there any opportunity to petition an under aged skater into the Worlds due to special circumstances?

For example, with Emily's injury, could the USA make a point that an underaged skater (if one places on the USA podium and it looks like one will) should be allowed to compete in this special instance to help the USA maintain its 3 spots? I think one of them is only 21 days off too..............seems like there should be some way to apply to the ISU for an exemptino to permit an underaged skater to go if an older one is unable to go due to injury or illness..................:yes::yes::yes:

 

[Mathman]

IMO the best case for an exemption would be a small federation whose National Champion is underage, and they have no one else to send. Like Yu-na Kim in the 2005-06 season. Did Korea even send anyone to the Olympics or Worlds?

 

[Ptichka]

Winnipeg, is this how you also felt when Mao did not get to go to Olympics? In truth, I'd say that missing a competition that's only held every 4 years is a bigger cause for exemption than what USFSA can show.

In general, age restriction is a very tricky issue. Being "only 21 days off" is not, IMO, a strong argument - why have a cutoff at all, if it's flexible? Why not just move it 22 days one way or another. I'd personally be against any such exemption. Not so much because I'm especially attached to this particular rule, but because it seems to me that if ISU grants the exception on this one, it might as well kiss the rule good bye altogether.

 

[Pikachuusb]

but because it seems to me that if ISU grants the exception on this one, it might as well kiss the rule good bye altogether.

I am all for kissing this rule goodbye and I was ready to do that during the past Olympics for Mao considering she beat everyone who medaled at the Olympics. I think if you are able to do the Grand Prix you should be able to do 4CC. Worlds or the Olympics, but thats just my opinion

 

[gkelly]

IMO the best case for an exemption would be a small federation whose National Champion is underage, and they have no one else to send. Like Yu-na Kim in the 2005-06 season. Did Korea even send anyone to the Olympics or Worlds?

Ji Eun Choi went to 2006 Worlds and did not get past the qual round.

She also competed at the Karl Schaefer Memorial the previous fall to try to earn one of the wildcard spots at the Olympics for Korea, but her 11th place result fell short of that goal. (Choi had placed 30th in the SP at 2005 Worlds, which was not enough to earn an Olympic spot based on the prior world results.)

 

[attyfan]

Winnipeg, is this how you also felt when Mao did not get to go to Olympics? In truth, I'd say that missing a competition that's only held every 4 years is a bigger cause for exemption than what USFSA can show.

In general, age restriction is a very tricky issue. Being "only 21 days off" is not, IMO, a strong argument - why have a cutoff at all, if it's flexible? Why not just move it 22 days one way or another. I'd personally be against any such exemption. Not so much because I'm especially attached to this particular rule, but because it seems to me that if ISU grants the exception on this one, it might as well kiss the rule good bye altogether.

Is there any other country that has an age-ineligible skater where the age limit would be an issue?

I felt fine about Mao not going to the Olympics because the debate about an exemption really didn't arise until after it was too late for Korea to get an exemption to at least send Yu-Na to Karl Schaefer, and it didn't seem fair to me to make the exemption for Japan when it was too late for Korea to make the same plea to get a similar advantage.

If there is no other country that would be affected by a late waiver of the age limit, that is one thing. If, OTOH, there is a country that would be affected, then the US should be treated the same way as Japan.

 

[Tinymavy15]

Is Emilly Injured? this is news to me!


yeah, it would be great if one of our young skaters could go to worlds, but no way is that gonna happen. We can only dream.

 

[feraina]

Is there any other country that has an age-ineligible skater where the age limit would be an issue?

Russia has a third-rank pairs team, Bazarova/Narionov, that cannot go to Worlds b/c she's too young. But I think they only have two spots at Worlds this year for pairs anyway.

I'm all for lowering the age limit for ISU championships to 14, in line with GP's. I've said a lot on this topic already, so I won't repeat myself.

In the U.S., there are three under-age singles skaters (Mirai, Caroline, and Rachael) and one pairs team (Brubaker/McLaughlin). Among the age-eligibles, the U.S. is weak in both pairs and ladies on the international scene. it's really too bad that none of these young athletes can participate at Worlds! And the worst part is that these same youngsters who have to miss out this year, might miss out again next year because the U.S. won't have as many spots at the WC.

 

[Wrlmy]

Winnipeg, is this how you also felt when Mao did not get to go to Olympics? In truth, I'd say that missing a competition that's only held every 4 years is a bigger cause for exemption than what USFSA can show.

In general, age restriction is a very tricky issue. Being "only 21 days off" is not, IMO, a strong argument - why have a cutoff at all, if it's flexible? Why not just move it 22 days one way or another. I'd personally be against any such exemption. Not so much because I'm especially attached to this particular rule, but because it seems to me that if ISU grants the exception on this one, it might as well kiss the rule good bye altogether.

I see lowering age limit at this point would be unfair to Mao and Yuna, but the rule can be changed at any point. After all, ISU didn't take away Tara's OGM. IMO, lowering the age limit seems more plausible and fair than exempting certain skaters.

 

[redhotcoach]

Jr Event at Olympics??

Maybe the IOC needs to realign itself and the Olympic movement, with the needs of many sports. Perhaps what is needed is a separate Junior event at the Olympics with upper age restrictions so that wunderkinds like Mirai, Caroline, Mao etc. would be able to skate against the best in their age groups and develop their skating styles over time rather than under the pressure of keeping up or bettering the older women in the sport. This would keep the young skaters in the Junior ranks longer - and in the end, it would improve the overall quality of the senior skaters at Worlds and Olympics in time.

But then if women's ski jumping was pushed off the hill - why would the IOC do something so progressive for our sport....

 

[Ptichka]

After all, ISU didn't take away Tara's OGM.

Rules are not retroactive - that's a given.

As to other countries facing this problem - Russia hasn't been able to send its proper ladies medalists several times because of age restrictions.

 

[indicatoto101]

Ji Eun Choi went to 2006 Worlds and did not get past the qual round.

She also competed at the Karl Schaefer Memorial the previous fall to try to earn one of the wildcard spots at the Olympics for Korea, but her 11th place result fell short of that goal. (Choi had placed 30th in the SP at 2005 Worlds, which was not enough to earn an Olympic spot based on the prior world results.)

I remember a Korean skater at the Torino Olympics. It could have been Choi. She doubled her lutz and flip and received low scores in PCS so did no make it to the long program.

 

[Winnipeg]

Winnipeg, is this how you also felt when Mao did not get to go to Olympics? In truth, I'd say that missing a competition that's only held every 4 years is a bigger cause for exemption than what USFSA can show.

Yes, I felt the same way when Mao could not go..................

I think the best should go regardless of age.......................in this sport, who knows, you may only have one chance before you grow too big

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

I see lowering age limit at this point would be unfair to Mao and Yuna, but the rule can be changed at any point. After all, ISU didn't take away Tara's OGM. IMO, lowering the age limit seems more plausible and fair than exempting certain skaters.

I believe the Rule came about because of Tara.

Joe

 

[R.D.]

I did not want Asada at the Olympics, therefore I think the rule should stand for us as well. But with the "Youth Olympics" supposedly happening soon, maybe it doesn't really matter any more.

 

[gkelly]

I believe the Rule came about because of Tara.

Joe

The current age limit rule was passed at the 1996 ISU Congress, shortly after Tara Lipinski placed 15th at her first world championships. I doubt she was the primary reason.

 

[gkelly]

I remember a Korean skater at the Torino Olympics. It could have been Choi. She doubled her lutz and flip and received low scores in PCS so did no make it to the long program.

There was a NORTH Korean skater at the Torino Olympics, Yong Suk KIM, who had placed second at the Karl Shaefer Olympic qualifying competition.

Evidently the North Korean federation is not interested in sending figure skaters to international competitions other than Olympics and Olympic qualifying competitions because they don't compete at Worlds, Four Continents, or Junior Worlds.

 

[Tinymavy15]

Winnipeg, is this how you also felt when Mao did not get to go to Olympics? In truth, I'd say that missing a competition that's only held every 4 years is a bigger cause for exemption than what USFSA can show.

Yes, I felt the same way when Mao could not go..................

I think the best should go regardless of age.......................in this sport, who knows, you may only have one chance before you grow too big

So right. If the ISU did not let the japanese federation let Mao go the Olympics they certainly won't let the U.S sent a 15 year-old girl to worlds.

 

[Mathman]

I don't think the ISU and the majority of its member federations have any particular desire to change its rules just so more U.S. skaters can go to worlds next year. They will need a better reason that that, if anyone is thinking of sending in a petition.

Is North Korea an ISU member?

About the junior Olympics Then cancel the senior Olympics and let all these accomplished entertainers go pro instead. At least for ladies, around 15-17 seems to be the peak age (same as for gymnasts). What could be more thrilling to a 16-year-old than to win an Olympic medal?

 

[gkelly]

Is North Korea an ISU member?

Aren't they pretty dominant in speedskating?