Bach has confirmed that the IOC Executive Board has started to discuss the matter in response to the doping scandal involving 15-year-old figure skater Kamila Valieva of the Russian Olympic Committee at the Winter Olympics here that has caused global media attention.

The German official stressed that the International Federation would be responsible for putting an age cap in place but admitted he wanted to give them "food for thought" by raising the issue of young athletes participating under such intense focus.

"There are issues to be addressed," said Bach during today’s press briefing at Beijing 2022.

"This concerns the issues of minors in senior competition.

""We have already started in the IOC Executive Board to think about, but this needs careful deliration and consultation on two fronts.

"One is with regards to WADA (the World Anti-Doping Agency), to see whether there is the need to adapt the rules.

"The other stakeholders are the International Federations over whether the establishment of minimum age of participation is an appropriate measure.

"This is for the International Federations, but we will initiate such consideration and give them food for thought."

Valieva was cleared to complete in the women’s singles competition after the Court of Arbitration for Sport decided against re-imposing a provisional suspension on the skater following her positive drug test.

"It would be dangerous to give my personal opinion, but for me personally the anti-doping rules are there to ensure a fair competition," Bach said.

"This leads me to the conclusion in a fair competition the same rules have to apply to everybody and for this we will have to see how this can be achieved while respecting the special circumstances of athletes being minor.

"This will be for the future to understand in the IOC Executive Board."

The teenager, who led the event after the short programme, produced an error-strewn free skate routine yesterday and was in tears as she finished outside the medal places.

Bach claimed he was "very disturbed" after witnessing Valieva’s struggles on the ice and criticised the "chilling atmosphere" of her entourage.

The International Skating Union (ISU), unconnected to the Valieva case, are reportedly considering raising its age limit for senior events from 15 to 17.

A proposal was reportedly made by the ISU Council following data received from its Medical Commission, with a gradual increase suggested to help protect physical and mental health of athletes, while ensuring current senior level athletes are not required to drop back down to junior level.

The IOC has, in recent years, pledged to make the Games more youthful and gender balanced, highlighted by the addition of skateboarding to the Olympic programme.

The average age of female skateboarders at Tokyo 2020 was just over 14-years-old, with Momiji Nishiya of Japan winning women’s street gold at 13.

IOC Presidential spokesperson Mark Adams had previously admitted there were challenges of having younger athletes competing at the Olympics Games but said organisation should offer opportunities "if we can".

"Everyone will remember from Tokyo some of the amazing performances, for example in skateboarding," said Adams.

"There is a balance, there is a challenge and that is the welfare of the athletes.

"Everyone always needs to do more in these cases.

"I think what would be disappointing is if we did not allow the opportunity for these athletes to grasp their dreams."