2028 Winter Youth Olympic Games Changes

[Karen-W]

https://www.olympics.com/ioc/news/events-and-athlete-quota-for-dolomiti-valtellina-2028-announced

Posting this because it directly impacts figure skating -

Out for 2028 - Pairs and the Team Event
In for 2028 - Synchronized Skating

 

[zigzig]

Ouch. Sad for pairs.

But also, does anyone actually care about YOG? An event with fancy branding but zero heat.

 

[Orm Irian]

Ouch. Sad for pairs.

But also, does anyone actually care about YOG? An event with fancy branding but zero heat.

Presumably it means a very great deal to the children who compete there.

 

[her grace]

The age restrictions meant very few pairs were even eligible. I can see why that discipline was removed.

 

[Sabine-Yuna]

If it's difficult for a team of 2 too meet the age requirements. How could it possibly be easier to have 12 to 16 people meet the requirements. I don't get it.

 

[Karen-W]

If it's difficult for a team of 2 too meet the age requirements. How could it possibly be easier to have 12 to 16 people meet the requirements. I don't get it.

Because there are a lot more junior synchro skaters and most of the junior teams are going to be in the WYOG age range naturally. It's especially hard with junior pairs now that the junior age maximums have been raised for both the male & female pairs skaters.

 

[Sabine-Yuna]

I can't imagine a lot of countries will be setting up a new synchro team (within the age requirements) just for one competition. This is a lot of work.

 

[Aceon6]

I can't imagine a lot of countries will be setting up a new synchro team (within the age requirements) just for one competition. This is a lot of work.

Most synchro countries have a junior feeding system although they may not be competing internationally.

 

[caseyedwards]

Sad pairs is dying and isu is killing it!!!

 

[Sylvia]

The age restrictions meant very few pairs were even eligible. I can see why that discipline was removed.

Cayla Smith teamed up with Jared McPike primarily for the 2024 YOG (only 4 pairs competed) and I imagine they don't regret having that experience in South Korea.

ETA - link to the GSD thread for the 2024 YOG: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...ames-jan-19-feb-1-gangwon-south-korea.110558/

"... all athletes "must be born between 1 January 2006 and 31 December 2009."

 

[kwanfan1818]

There may be junior feeder teams or developmental junior teams that have enough substitutes in the targeted age range, which would give the subs a chance to compete when they otherwise would be on the bench.