In 2008 several members of the Chinese women's Olympic gymnastic team were suspected of being too young to compete. While China provided documents stating the young ladies were 16, the controversy spurred a debate about why age limits were even necessary. Younger athletes have certain physical and psychological advantages over older gymnasts, who in turn, have the benefit of experience. Supporters of age limits insist that young athletes are susceptible to a great deal of physical and psychological harm while competing on the international stage and should therefore not be allowed to compete.
Physical Benefits
Nellie Kim, a five-time Olympic gymnastic gold medalist, says in a "New York Times" article that younger gymnasts tend to be very light, giving them an edge when it comes to performing tricks. Younger gymnasts also tend to have fewer injuries and less wear on their bodies from years of practice. They are more agile and lithe. Older gymnasts tend to be taller and have suffered injuries over the course of their careers.
Psychological Benefits
While there is little evidence to prove that young gymnasts have a psychological advantage over older gymnasts, it is certainly a prevailing theory in the field. Bela Karolyi, the coach of several Olympic gymnastic gold medalists and an assistant to the U.S. gymnastics team, believes that younger gymnasts have less of a tendency to over-think things. Instead, they are fearless and can do their routines with more freedom than their older counterparts.
Physical Worries
According to a 2008 study published in the journal "Pediatrics" gymnastics has one of the highest injury rates of all girls sports. Many worry that the intense training needed to prepare for the Olympics would harm young gymnasts whose bodies have not yet finished developing. Older gymnasts should have finished growing and have fully sealed bone plates.
Psychological Worries
Performing on the international stage is a stressful experience, involving interviews with major news reporters and pressure from an entire country of fans. In addition, the same fearlessness that gives young gymnasts an advantage when performing stunts can make them more likely to take dangerous risks. Still, the maturity of an athlete is not necessarily based upon age. This has led some coaches, including Karolyi, to advocate for the removal of age limits.
References
- "The New York Times"; Records Say Chinese Gymnasts May Be Under Age; Jere Longman and Juliet Macur; July 2008.
- CNN; Age of Chinese Gymnasts Investigated; August 2008.
- "USA Today"; China Asked for More Proof in Gymnastics Age Controversy; Janic Lloyd and Marien Garcia; August 2008.
- "Pediatrics"; Gymnastics-related Ijuries to Children Treated in Emergency Departments in the United States, 1990-2005; Shubah Sungh et al.; April 2008.
- "Time Magazine"; Making Gymnastics Safer for Kids; Alice Park; April 2008.
Member Comments