An individual medal seemed just a formality when then 15-year-old figure skater Kamila Valiyeva traveled to Beijing for the Winter Olympics.
But after days of fuss about her positive doping test, the teenager could not withstand the massive public pressure: Valiyeva fought back tears in her freestyle, made a mistake and missed a medal. The disturbing crash of the young ice princess fueled calls for a minimum age in top-class sport. The International Skating Union (ISU) now wants to vote on raising the age limit to 17 years. In other sports, too, children belong to the world elite. experts warn.
Skateboarder: Minimum age “not necessary”
The organizer of the Olympic Games, the International Olympic Committee (IOC), leaves the decision to introduce a minimum age to the sports federations. Gymnasts must be at least 16 years old, and there is no lower age limit for skateboarders. In response to the Olympic scandal, however, the IOC had urged the world associations to review a general minimum age in sport.
In many sports, increasing the age would have glaring consequences. “With us, many young girls would miss medals“, said the 14-year-old skateboarder Lilly Stoephasius. Last year, the Berliner was the youngest German to take part in the Summer Games in Tokyo. All the women’s medals were then awarded to teenagers – in the Street discipline, gold and silver even went to two 13th places -year-olds.
“I don’t think a minimum age is necessary for us“, said Stoephasius. Although she thinks the discussion about an age limit makes sense, a differentiation must be made between the sports. Skateboarding as a sport is comparatively less structured and is exercised with less pressure. “There is no blatant competitive atmosphere. We have fun and support each other. I had no pressure”reported Stoephasius.
The German Roller Sport and Inline Federation (DRIV) provides her with “sports psychology staff” so that she can meet all the requirements. In addition, Stoephasius receives media training. The participation of the teenager in top-class sport is justifiable, said the competitive sports consultant for skateboarding in DRIV, Sebastian Barabas.
Warning of young high-performance machines
Jens Kleinert from the German Sport University in Cologne still advocates a minimum age in top-class sport and suggests “a first orientation” at an age limit of 16 years. “Below that, the risk of psychosocial overload is simply too great“, said the professor for sports and health psychology. The usually very high training volumes carry the risk, “that in addition to sporting development, other development steps are delayed. For example, the development of friendships” Kleinert said.
In addition, high training loads in connection with failures and frequent frustration could have a lasting impact on personality development. “Sleep, rest, eating habits and other important aspects of life can be disturbed“, explained the expert.
Nevertheless, participation in top-class sports events for children does not necessarily have to be a “mental hell” be, as Reinders explained. Participation could well be “positive meaningful“Having elements for young talents. That always applies when the entire environment of the adolescents conveys: “Competitive sport is a positive recognition“It becomes problematic if parents and association officials don’t focus on the well-being of the youngsters,” said the educator.
Ice skating association could set a signal
The decision of the world ice skating association, which wants to vote on the gradual increase in the minimum age to 17 years in its annual congress in Phuket starting on Sunday, could have a signal effect on other associations. As reflected in the draft agenda for Congress, the ISU Council’s proposal “e.gto protect the physical and mental health and emotional well-being of runners“.
In addition to the IOC, the German Skating Union (DEU) is also supporting the initiative. “This would meet our goal of preparing our athletes for the highest difficulties with more foresight and a long-term perspective“said the sports director of the Munich-based association, Claudia Pfeifer.
Educational scientist Reinders appeals primarily to the media, families and associations. “What does the participation of a child bring us? And what good does that do for the child? If we find more honest answers to the first question than to the second question, it is no longer about the athlete, but about external interests” said Reinders. This is a “deep red” signals.
Source: dpa