How come age matters?

Question

why does it matter if the chines gymnasts are 14 she won gold any way?. and why is 14 year old diver Thomas daily aloud to compete and not a 14 year old gymnasts.

Answer 1

It should not matter. Even the USA gymnastics team coach says it is a stupid rule and should be changed BUT at the moment an age minimum of 14 is in place and stupid or not, it is a rule  and the rules must be obeyed.

Please note: I am NOT saying that Chinese gymnasts were underage. The Chinese provided proof of an evidentary standard that they are 16 and as far as I am concerned unless someone can provide PROOF (not unsubstantiated allegations) that they were not 16 then the Chinese have satisfied all requirements of them and whether you agree with them or disagree with them, that debate is over.

Answer 2

apparently it's for the safety and protection of the youth, making sure they don't get over trained and succumb to the immense psychological pressure. in my opinion, it's all BS. just let them compete already! it causes so many problems already! If they're good enough why not let a 12 year old compete?

Answer 3

the age requirements are different for each sport. divings is 14 or u have to be 15 by thee end of the year. in gymnastics its to protect the kids from serious injury, overtraining and the pressures that come along with the olympics. also when u are younger u are more flexible and u can do some of the harder skills more easily. i was listening to the head of the olympics committee today and he said exactly that^

no doubt they are good gymnasts but the rules are there for a reason and if broke, u might as well use steroids. a rule is a rule.

Answer 4

It shouldn't. The career of a female gymnast is very limited, most retire before 20. It's a cruel rule that robs many female gymnast's opportunity to perform in the biggest stage in their sport.

Answer 5

If she was 14 she did NOT win gold because there are other 14 year olds all over the world that may have beat her.

under age girls who break the rules do not win gold.

Answer 6

If the Chinese gymnast was 14, that is an unfair advantage and you don't win gold for that, you get disqualified.

Answer 7

Rules are different for different sports.  They should just get rid of the age ban so we don't have to talk about this endlessly.  

Answer 8

Because no 14 year old girl wants to be raped.

But 14 year old male's do.

And plus, it doesn't matter to me.

14 is my lucky number man.