Age Eligibility - 2006 Olympics

[adrianchew]

Given the past ladies champions for '94, '98 and '02 have all been young, I'm wondering what the cutoff birthdate is for skaters to be eligible for the 2006 Olympics... obviously I haven't been keeping up with all the rule changes. :oops:

Just wondering who amongst the younger field might have a shot at the Olys in '06.

[Sylvia]

From the SkateWeb FAQ:
"For ISU senior championships (Worlds, Europeans, and Four Continents) and the Olympic Games, competitors must have reached the age of 15 by the previous July 1st."

Therefore, skaters aiming for 2006 would have to be 15 years old by July 1, 2005.

[adrianchew]

Yes!!! Now all we have to hope is that the ISU doesn't mess with those rules! ;)

[hydro]

does Miko Anda meet those age requirements for the 2006 games?

[Trillian]

Originally posted by Sylvia
Therefore, skaters aiming for 2006 would have to be 15 years old by July 1, 2005.

In other words, they'll have to be born by July 1, 1990. And I'm guessing the next Olympic champ will be someone who's been to worlds at least twice prior to the Olympics, which by that theory would mean that she'd have to be born by July 1, 1988. Likely JGP Finalists this year, since that's where Hughes was four years ago--Ando (b. 12/87), Czisny (b. 5/87), DeSanctis (b. 6/88 ), Liang (b. 3/88 ), Kostner (b. 2/87), Johanssen (b. ?/87), Ota (b. 11/86), Donovan (b. 9/86).

And anyone competing internationally as a junior this season, including Ando, meets the requirements for 2006. Skaters had to be born by July 1, 1989, to do international junior events this year.

[hydro]

thanks for dates Trillian! :) *goes to look at favorite Junior skater's birthdays*

its interesting because the 2006 games will be the first Olympics that the age rules are actually in place. in 98 Michelle and Tara were grandfathered as eligible because of their trips to Worlds. in 2002, Sarah Hughes was grandfathered in because of the Junior Worlds medal loop-hole. since all loop-holes are closed, and no one else can be grandfathered in, 2006 may be very different that the previous years.

i'm placing my bets on Bebe Liang and Anda right now :)

[adrianchew]

hydro - why do you keep referring to Ando as Anda? ;)

Interesting as Trillian's list is, I was wondering if someone younger than that might have a shot, but within the eligilibility requirements age wise. That's why I asked. 8)

[hydro]

hydro - why do you keep referring to Ando as Anda?

Interesting as Trillian's list is, I was wondering if someone younger than that might have a shot, but within the eligilibility requirements age wise. That's why I asked.



i'm a terrible speller :) i never learned how to spell Maria and Irina's last names either, and i will continuely botch them up. same with Fumie's last name :)


what skater were you talking about, Adrian? someone specific?

for some reason i feel that the JGP is much more exciting this year than the senior GP. i wish it were televised.

[aservin]

Lina Johansson, SWE is born in September 1988 and not in 1987 as you wrote. She wil be a hot condender if she continues to develop as now and don´t have any injuries.

[adrianchew]

hydro - time will tell, I can't predict the future. But when it comes time - if the potential is realized. Far too soon to name names.

[smurf]

Maybe a 20something lady will shock us and win!
Nothing against the younger ladies, but I like things to be off kilter and throw all the conventional wisdom out the door. :)

[adrianchew]

Originally posted by smurf

Maybe a 20something lady will shock us and win!

Oh I have not given up on Sasha ;) by any means having a shot at winning the 2006 Olympics, and judging by reports and early season content, she might even be working on the jump prowess and content to stave off the upcoming Japanese girls (US ladies usually having always been better on the 2nd mark!).

But the recent history of the Olympics has favored the young, so anything can happen. Possibilities are that by 2006, the 3-axel and quad would have been landed clean at senior international competitions by ladies, plus difficult combinations... so its anyone's guess who will be competitive in 2006 at this point. :?:

[Trillian]

Originally posted by aservin
Lina Johansson, SWE is born in September 1988 and not in 1987 as you wrote.

Whoops. :) She was the only one who didn't have an official bio from either the ISU or the USFSA, but I thought I'd heard 1987 somewhere. In that case, if she does get in, she's also probably the youngest JGP finalist this year; good for her. :)

[karina1974]

Originally posted by hydro
thanks for dates Trillian! :) *goes to look at favorite Junior skater's birthdays*

its interesting because the 2006 games will be the first Olympics that the age rules are actually in place. in 98 Michelle and Tara were grandfathered as eligible because of their trips to Worlds. in 2002, Sarah Hughes was grandfathered in because of the Junior Worlds medal loop-hole. since all loop-holes are closed, and no one else can be grandfathered in, 2006 may be very different that the previous years.

i'm placing my bets on Bebe Liang and Anda right now :)

How was Michelle grandfathered into the 98 Olympics? She was already 17, way past the eligible age. And Sarah's Junior World Silver was a factor in getting her onto the World Team in 1999, not the Olympic Team in 2002. Her Senior World Bronze took care of any age questions.

[Maximillian]

I think what Hydro meant was that both Michelle and Sarah were allowed to compete earlier at Sr. International level than they would be now, thereby giving them the experience and exposure necessary to be a legitimate contender by the time the Olympics came around. If Sarah not medalled at Jr. Worlds I don' t think she could've competed at Sr. Worlds til 2001, I think it would've been quite difficult for Sarah to make an impression necessary to be considered a legit threat to compete for the gold in '02.

Had the new age rules been in effect for Michelle I don't think that she could've competed at Worlds til '97 if my math is right. Her birthday is after July 1 right? Again, only allowing for a year of Sr. international competition going into the Games. Strange to think of, when you consider all that she had accomplished by Worlds '97.