Overview

• Emma Aalto, 19, and Millie Colling, 20, will compete together in Finnish domestic events after the federation replaced gendered labels with “Skater A” and “Skater B.”
• The change followed a formal request from the duo and mirrors a 2022 Skate Canada move that removed national gender requirements.
• Kaitlyn Weaver, an ISU Ice Dance Technical Committee member, said the topic has been discussed but not formally proposed for international competition.
• Weaver emphasized education and athlete safety, noting a more conservative political climate as a factor in the pace of change.
• Supporters say ice dance suits same‑sex pairings because it prioritizes musical interpretation and precise footwork over acrobatic elements that could confer physical advantages.