What is the exact rule about age in the olympics?

Question

I know that there has been a lot of debate about the age of the Chinese gymnasts and that in order to compete in the olympic games you have to be at least 16. Why does this debate not extend to the 14 year old diver Tom Daley that is diving for England? Does the 16 year old rule only apply to gymnastics?

Answer 1

It is different in each Olympic sport.

In Gymnastics the athlete has to be 15 turning 16 some time in the Olympic year.  They can turn 16 before, during, or after the Olympics as long as it is before January 1, 2009.

Answer 2

I could have swore in the past the age requirement was under 16 y/o for Olympic gymnasts. anyways they have different requirements for each event. i personally think they should all have the same age requirements.

Answer 3

Depends on the sports. Rules say you should be 16 to compete in gymnastics.

Answer 4

Good question.

More to the point, shouldn't the best and brightest athletes be allowed to compete irregardless of age restictions?

The nonsensical rule just goes against the Olympic motto of Swiftest, Hightest, Strongest (Cistus, Altius, Fortius).

There is the  counter arguement these young athlete are being exploited. You mean becoming a Chinese national hero and being paid millions of dollars to endorse Chinese products like their counter-part Shawn Johnson is exploitation?

This is same type of rules that said only amateurs, non paid athletes, are allowed to compete.

Hopefully other nations will take the same rebellious stance and make a mockery of rules that don't aspire to the Olympic ideals.

Answer 5

Look at the girls' pictures and decide for yourself:

http://snapolympics.com/v/controversial/...

Answer 6

They wouldn't Apply the rule to Team GB because Amir Khan was the youngest british olympian  and tom was the second so as they "Broke the rule" once already don't you think they would do it again.

Answer 7

in gymnastics, your 16th birthday, must be in that year. for example: its now august and the olympics are going on now, and say i was 15 now, but my 16th birthday wasnt till, lets say october. i would still be able to compete though, because my 16th birthday year was still in the same year as the olympics. they've been debating alot on the chinese (women) gymnasts because they all look so small to be 16 year olds, in my opinion i also think they looks to small to be 16 year olds. i'm not exactly sure, however, if the 16-year-old rules also apply to other sports.

Answer 8

You have to be turning 16 on the year of the olympics

Answer 9

There are no age limits to compete in the Olympics.

Each world sport governing body specifies the rules for the sport they govern. In gymnastics it's 16 (or turn 16 during the olympic year). In swimming and diving there are no age restrictions. Most sports have no age restrictions.

I hope this helps.

Answer 10

Varies from the different sports unions.  Gynmastics it is 16 but some sports like rowing, it is as young as 12 for the caller at the head of the boat.  Some sports, it is 18.