How young is too young for an Olympic athlete?

Question

I am watching "Women's" Gymnastics and I am pretty sure most of these girls are in their teens. One of the girls on China looks to be in her tweens. Shouldn't they rename the event Girls Gymnastics if this is the way things are going to stay? What do you know and what is your opinion?

Answer 1

I just happened to watch the girls Gymnastics and I completely agree with you!!

Many of the girls looked like they were twelve...

In order to participate you are supposed to be al least 16 but apparently China has had problems with this in the past!

Answer 2

I believe the announcer said that 16 was the cut off age, but the gentleman that he was talking to made a comment that China may very well have much younger girls on the team.

Answer 3

Okay, I have no idea as to whether or not the Chinese gymnasts are underage, but, I have to object. I'm Chinese, and have been mistaken for 12. I was 21 at the time. So this issue is a bit close to the heart, lol.

But yeah, 16 is the cut off.  

Answer 4

i definitely think that they have really young athletes but they say that all the girls are 16, which is the age requirement.

Answer 5

I do believe that 1/2 of China's team is under 16.  I think the media would more intense if the games were in another country.  I loved Bela Karolyi's comments on it and Bob Costa trying to cover it up and Bela saying it how it is.  These are not women who are competing.  They are about 30 pounds lighter than other teams, they are shorter, and the one is so tiny that if she was any smaller the bars would be more difficult.  One of the members from the last Olympic team admitted she was only 14 then and there was a call for the medal to be taken away....

What are the physical and psychological long term consequences for these kids (aside from the government approving lying and cheating along as you win a gold medal)?  Perhaps it should be changed to "Male" and "Female"  Then again, the Italian coach made a comment about how muscular the US team is to put the controvery into perspective.

Answer 6

the chinese gym team is a controversy. google it.

and you are suppost to be 16, but they obviously, are not.

Answer 7

to be in the olympics you have to be 16 in the year of the olympics.  the one on their team is 15 so before december 31,2008 she has to turn 16.  yes she looks young but what can you do if she meets the age requirments.

Answer 8

If they are good enough to be competing and have family and national support, then they should be given the chance.  The only draw back I can think of is the toll on a young body.  I would hope they are supervised with great care.