US gymnastics coach Bela Karolyi incensed about underage rules.Do you ag

Question

Do you agree?

He say's :“We are in the business of gymnastics and we know what a kid of 14 or 15 or 16 looks like. You don’t have to be a gymnastics coach to know what they look like at 16.”

“They are using half-people,” Karolyi said. “One of the biggest frustrations is, what arrogance. These people think we are stupid.

I disagree with his claims because,

My Point is that the "average" size of a person of Asian ( or other descent) can vary greatly.

Clearly size does NOT determine the AGE of a gymnast.

When I was entering High School ( at 16) I was a mere 4'11" and I'm now a 5'2" woman....since when does a persons "size" determine age?

I was also a gymnast.

Clearly Bela Karolyi , has been looking at to many over sized "american" girls and thinks this is a determining factor in judging a persons age.

http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/beijing/gymnastics/news?slug=dw-underage081108&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

Answer 1

It's important to understand that the unlike Americans the Chinese don't have like a certificate since birth, or type of schooling that verifies their age. The simply tell the people them age, without having to verify through a legal record, unlike when going through the Olympic trials in America.

Well looking at the gymnastics yesterday, I can see some girls who look/appear much younger than 16. However, I'm also really short for my age(14, 4'10). And people will say I look far younger, which might be the case for the Chinese gymnasts.

Answer 2

They look really young.  This dosn't just affect the US team, there are other great teams from countries as well.  He was speaking his mind.  And he is speaking from experience.  

Answer 3

To my opinion, they do look darn young. But since they don't have proof that they are younger than 16, can't really do nothing about it.  

Besides, the Karolyis are just sore losers bashing at the Chinese. We don't really see the actual U.S gymnastics athletics bitching about it.

Bela to my opinion is  bias. He bashes at all of the other countries' athletes while strongly praising the U.S.  

Answer 4

I completely agree with you about disagreeing with bela karoly's claims, and I mean who cares about age?

Like if they're underage but they're competeing against older gymnasts and can still lead in the qualifications then wats the big deal?

Its even more of a disadvantage for them using young girls, so what the point of complaining?  The young girls are able to handle the pressure fine and do well on all the events

And i agree some american girls are a lil big, but not everyone (e.g. nastia)

honestly i think they're just trying to make a big deal out of nothing

Answer 5

Firstly, I resent your "oversized American" comment.  It is not for you to decide what size is "correct."  I don't like Karolyi's "half people" comment either.

Secondly, Karolyi has seen his share of Asian gymnasts.  I think he may very well have some valid concerns.  The Chinese government certainly is not trustworthy.  

Answer 6

Did the U.S. women came to compete or hope to win the gold through disqualification?  Stop with whining of the American coaches and show some class!!  It's embarrassing to see such poor/ sore reactions from someone that's suppose to be dignified.  Bottom line is Did the U.S. really want to admit to be defeated by a 14 or 13 yr old? You can say that age is a big factor but these Chinese teenagers young or old has the most pressure out of any country performing in the gymnastics Olympics since their whole country expects them to do well.  It's outrageous for some insensitive one dimensional coach to spread rubbish base on losing. The U.S. women didn't perform well and the Chinese didn't do well as well but well enough to get gold end of story.  Also when the U.S. women were calling the Chinese gymnast team "babies" it shows their own insecurities, lack of respect for the sport and the country respectfully hosting to them. I love the U.S. women team as a whole however it saddens me to see them go out like that.  Show some class in everything you do, even if the odds are against you.