The International Figure Skating Federation announced Tuesday that it has raised the minimum age for men and women to compete at the highest level of figure skating from 15 to 17.

The decision was made at an International Ski Federation conference in Phuket, Thailand, months after the Beijing Winter Olympics revitalization scandal centered on Russian figure skating champion Kamila Valeeva, 15.

“This is a very historic decision,” Dutch Football Association president Jan Dekema said after 100 countries voted in favor of the measure to 16.

“The credibility of the union will be tested. The media and the public will be watching us closely,” he added.

Valeeva failed a doping test before the Games, but was allowed to compete, but was left empty-handed after several falls during her performance.

As she failed to snatch a medal, questions were raised about the influence of her surroundings on her performance, especially after a tense confrontation with her coach.

The International Figure Skating Federation insists that raising the minimum age was on its agenda long before the Valeeva case and has made it their duty to care for elite teenage athletes.

This decision, which includes technical skating and speed skating, will gradually come into effect in the coming years with a minimum age of 16 for the 2023-2024 season and 17 for the 2024-2025 season.

This reform process has previously been approved by the Federation Medical Committee.

“It is a moral obligation to give young skaters the opportunity and time to develop the skills they need to succeed at a high level,” said Medical Committee Chair Jane Moran.

“They have the right to develop as human beings in adolescence. They don’t need us to force them to compete.”

According to a poll conducted by the Federation’s Athletes’ Committee of 1,000 skaters and coaches, 86 percent of them were in favor of raising the minimum age.