A recent figure skating competition in Shanghai raised questions after French skater Adam Xiao Him Fa landed a somersault during his free program, a move long considered prohibited on the ice. The rules have historically restricted jumps with a horizontal axis, and even though the backflip element is banned, the performance still drew attention from fans and officials alike.
Fa finished first in the event with a total of 282.80 points across both programs. He held a sizable lead over the runner-up, Cha Jun-hwan of Korea, who ended the competition nearly 28 points behind the French skater. Jin Boyan of China secured the bronze with 238.33 points, rounding out the podium in a tournament that sparked discussion about rule interpretation and the evolving sport’s ethics and safety concerns.
The backflip has been prohibited in figure skating since 1976 due to safety concerns and the potential risk of serious injury. This rule has remained a point of contention at times, often resurfacing during debates over what technically constitutes a legal element and how skaters balance difficulty with safety and fairness in scoring.
Russian athletes have faced varying participation statuses in international competitions in recent years. In February 2022, the International Olympic Committee issued guidance to international sports federations, urging that Russian and Belarusian athletes be barred from competing in most events pending further review of the geopolitical situation and sanctions, a move that affected eligibility across multiple disciplines (IOC guidance, 2022).
By March 28, 2023, the IOC Executive Committee discussed a potential path for Russian athletes to compete under a neutral flag, provided they do not actively support military operations. The committee referred to continuing evaluation and consultations with sports federations, leaving the ultimate decision on Olympic participation pending further developments and consensus among international bodies (IOC Executive Committee, 2023).
Previously, renowned coach Tatyana Tarasova articulated a stance that Russian athletes should meet certain criteria before being granted neutral status, emphasizing accountability and adherence to international sporting norms as prerequisites for ongoing participation (Tarasova comments, 2023).