The main reason why the increase of age limit was talked about since years in ISU congresses and in the fandom, was "the unfair biological advantage that 15yo skaters have over mature/adult skaters".
In other words, people were complaining about the fact that there was too much "pre-pubescent" looking skaters in seniors and that they were winning too much, probably because of their body. Not only they wanted to watch adult looking skaters but also they thought it was unfair to let skaters who could jump easier because of their tiny body, compete in seniors.
That was the reason. No one was talking about that "protecting young skaters" thing. The Beijing scandal was just the fire that ISU had douse urgently to salvage its image. So the increase was voted en masse. Since then, everyone repeat that argument like a mantra. I still fail to understand how the rule will protect young skaters but we will see. If those test results had been available even just two weeks before Beijing, i bet the age limit would still be 15 or increased to 16 as it was originally proposed by most parties.
In other words, people were complaining about the fact that there was too much "pre-pubescent" looking skaters in seniors and that they were winning too much, probably because of their body. Not only they wanted to watch adult looking skaters but also they thought it was unfair to let skaters who could jump easier because of their tiny body, compete in seniors.
That was the reason. No one was talking about that "protecting young skaters" thing. The Beijing scandal was just the fire that ISU had douse urgently to salvage its image. So the increase was voted en masse. Since then, everyone repeat that argument like a mantra. I still fail to understand how the rule will protect young skaters but we will see. If those test results had been available even just two weeks before Beijing, i bet the age limit would still be 15 or increased to 16 as it was originally proposed by most parties.