Why does it matter if a gymnast is underage?!??!?!!?

Question

i.e. that Chinese girl

people are saying she's underage and stuff...but who cares?! if' she's younger, she has less muscles, weaker focus of attention...etc

being underage actually gives advantage to the opponent (i.e. Nastia Liukin), who is stronger mentally and physically

so ya, why are people complaining?

Answer 1

Yes it matters.  The IOC rules clearly state the Gymnasts must be 16 years of age.  Now, why did the IOC set that age limit??  Because under the age of 16, children's bodies are still growing and developing.  They do not want to risk the health and well being of these young gymnasts who in countries like Russia and China are pushed to the very edge of their ability without regard to their well-being.  The IOC was simply looking out for the athlete.

There is a distinct advantage to competing under the age of 16.  Because these athletes are younger, they tend to be smaller (as is the case in the Chinese girls) and therefore they are able to move more swiftly and easily than their older competitors.  (There isn't as much room between the ground and them per se.)

I agree with the other person who answered regarding the age.  If the IOC doesn't enforce the age limit rule on ALL countries, then why bother enforcing doping rules and other rules??  They have opened a can of worms by refusing to investigate these claims.  

Answer 2

s***w the rules!! I think the olympics should  be a huge cage match free for all!! Last country standing wins!

Answer 3

It will be embarrassing to the US."d**n I got beat by a 12 year old"

Answer 4

Bcause it's the rule, put in place to protect the health of compettitors.

When Nadia Comanechi scored perfect 10's in gymnastics, she was 14, so it's no secret that youth helps in many ways..

Yes being young is a disadvantage in terms of mental toughness and physical strength, younger girls are more flexible and nimble- they have less body weight so it's easier for them to perform some jumps, vaults, etc.

The IOC's concern is that the stress and rigors from training and competing can permanently damage the skeletal and muscular development of young gymnasts, because their bones aren't fully formed and their bodies are still undergoing rapid growth.   As to whether those concerns are overblown, that's another story...

Answer 5

First off the underage means it is ILLEGAL for her to compete in the Olympics. Second she isn't that far underage. Third Communist China likely raised her like the Soviet Union raised kids, so she would be as trained or better and would be stronger mentally at gymnastics. Last point is the reason it is an advantage physically involves physical maturity. Although Chinese in general would have an advantage over Americans in a way there, at least for things like Gymnastics. Heck if underage is ok why not allow doping. Why have any rules? If there was no advantage to younger why does the IOC set an age?

Answer 6

that's what i wonder too........why can't losers just lose in peace, they make a big deal, because they lose...boo ooo.... if the script was flipped they wouldn't like it....... anyways, big up to America still and to China, because China was better that's why they won.....

Answer 7

Because they beat USA,I'm getting sick of this  

Answer 8

It's against the rules. The rules narrow the talent pool so for a country to not follow the rules its considered cheating since other countries probably have better gymnasts who aren't of age yet but can compete.

Answer 9

Mostly because they're good and took some golds over the Americans.

I GUARANTEE you that if all the Chinese had placed last, we wouldn't be having these 'discussions' right now.

*think about it*

Do you all care about the rules and the safety of the girls? or do you want to see America win.

Please... psssshttt.

Answer 10

as far as competing, i feel like age shouldn't matter, i've always thought that the best athletes are the ones that should be out there competing for their own country

HOWEVER, it is in the rules for some reason, and that is why it matters, just like how the tiebreaker was setup that gave the chinese girl a gold medal instead of Nastia, it's a rule and it should be followed regardless until that rule is changed

Answer 11

Because the Chinese won and americans didn't like that

Answer 12

my question exactly. however, gymnastics has an age limit because the IOC doesn't want to put too much pressure on younger people. gymnastics creates strain in muscles and stress in mind, and if u put that on a young person's shoulders, it might damage them in the long run. for some cases, though, when the child is really tough, age isn't an obstacle, but there are few cases of this. the IOC wants gymnasts to be more mature and not put pressure and stress on younger athletes.

Answer 13

no, in the world of gymnasts, the smaller you are, the better. plus it helps to not have as much pressure. just look up all the interviews that bob costas did with bela, he explains everything (you just have to get past his Romanian acscent to understand him)

Answer 14

Because the U.S. is a bad loser. They think they are better than anybody else, so if they lose the other person has to be cheating.

Answer 15

The international gymnastic committee brought in the rule to stop countries exploiting kids - and to allow them to develope. A 14 yr old has an advantage in terms of flexibility, lack of developement etc that makes them better. They wanted to stop countries exp\loiting that - ie grabbing kids at 4, forcing them to training schools similar to the military, and then selecting the best 12 to 14 yr olds. What a life for the child. Also concerned with the discarded ones.

Thats why they brought it in - and you know why people are complaining - China would have had to exploit the kids to get them to the level they are by the age we all think they are.

A lot of the decisions were based on speaking to ex soviet bloc athletes who went through the experience. Thousand who were identified as talented forced to train 8 hrs a day forthe chance to be one of a couple to make the Olympics. If you disagree with the rule - you are infact supporting people taking advantage of kids.

Answer 16

you should be over 16 but who cares,  it's not like under aged prostitution or something

and It will be embarrassing to the US.they would be like "d**n I got beat by a 12 year old"

Answer 17

Everything accused should have Evidence!

Are you George Bush who accused Iraq of having Mass Destructive Weapon and then invaded it.

Answer 18

Just like everybody else said: it's the rule.  Just google for the evidence.  There are several Chinese websites that list some of the girls ages as 13 last year.  Were they lying then? or now?  There used to be a rule that you coudn't be a professional athlete (get paid) and be in the Olympics.  That's why our basketball team sucked.  That rule changed, but EVERYBODY had to follow it. When you lie to get an athlete into the games, it's cheating.  Even if the rule is stupid.

Answer 19

Because she broke the rules. Duh!

Cheeters don't win.

Answer 20

They are breaking the rules made by the Olympics Committee therefor they should not be able to compete

Answer 21

First of all, because it's a rule.  If they aren't going to enforce the rule then why have it?  They enforce the rule about steroids, they enforce the rule about staying in your lane (in track and field), and they even suspended a coach because the team wore black underwear.  If it's a rule, then enforce it.

Secondly, there is thing called puberty.  You may have noticed that when a girl hits puberty, their bodies change.  Certain body parts get bigger and wider, causing a shift in their weight distribution.  It could be argued that this shift gives prepubescent girls an unfair advantage over women with hips and b*****s.

Answer 22

because they are allegedly violating a rule set forth by the Olympic committee. under the age of 16, you can't compete. hopefully the day will come when they  allow 3 year olds to do it.

Answer 23

It matters because there are rules. You might as well ask 'Why does it matter if athletes are taking steroids?'

It is the same as the rule that if you drop the baton or step on the line, you are disqualified. If you are underage in gynmastics, you should be disqualified. Those are the rules.

I agree that some rules are stupid and should be scrapped but as long as the rules are in place, they should be followed.

Answer 24

I agree! However here's the link as to why they don't want underage gymnasts:

Enjoy!