Why do the gymnasts have to be 16?

Question

but the female divers are allowed to be younger?

Answer 1

Because FINA (the Swimming and Diving governing association) doesn't have age restrictions whereas FIG (the gymnastics governing association) imposed one back during the 1980's.

The feeling was that it is unfair to put stress to win on the younger kids, the younger kids were smaller and would have an advantage to perform some skills, they were more flexible and thus would have additional advantages, and that their bodies were still developing and having them compete would be detrimental to their skeletal and muscular development.

I disagree. Why would they have World Junior Championships then? The athletes perform the same types of routines so the arguments are not valid, in my opinion.

Removing this age restriction would certainly remove a lot of hard feelings and controversy. I think it's just silly, personally.

Good question.

Enjoy!

Answer 2

so they wont work out too hard at such a young age. if you do that you could create bad perminant damage to your young body.  

Answer 3

Yeah, I really don't know what's up with that rule.

There is no age limit in Figure Skating

Maybe because it's Women's Gymnastics

Answer 4

All Olympic athletes have to turn 16 in the Olympic year.  

Answer 5

i dont know but  i hope i will be in  the next ones

Answer 6

I dont know. But there's probrably a legit reason.

Answer 7

Given the intense muscular training involved in gymnastics, it's my logical assumption that the age restriction---based on medical consultations to the IOC---sets the minimum gymnast age at 16.

The age limit is set for the bodily safety and health of the gymnast---especially where females are concerned.

Answer 8

that's easy. the IOC doesn't want to put pressure and stress on ppl under 16 because they think they aren't mature enough and don't have mature enough bodies. i for one don't like the age limit tho.

Answer 9

Because of the abuse on younger athletes and stop whining and live with the freakin age limit...you never hear other sports complaining.

Answer 10

I thought everyone had to be at least sixteen but the gymnasts have to be because younger kids are at a advantages. they are more flexible and are still growing.

Answer 11

They have to be 16 because putting a younger body through that kind of constant abuse will cause sever damage to bones and joints. It can also stunt the gymnasts growth causing them to never reach their growth potential.

Also, a lot of the younger gymnasts were getting seriously hurt, because they don't know enough to be cautious when they should be.

That's why they are supposed to be 16.

Answer 12

to level the playing feild. younger gymnest have advantage over older ones.

Answer 13

Because the officials think that thats the age that your bones mature. In gymnastics, theres more shock to your skeletal system than there is in diving, and if your bones aren't matured well by then, then it could cause serious health problems in the future.