The rules are the rules
Actually, in “women’s” gymnastics (as in practically no other sport), the peak physical form is 12-15. As for the investigation, it will happen, but not while the games are going on in China. The IOC will not embarrass the ChiComs that way. Within 90 days of the end of the Olympics, look for stirrings on this topic when the IOC is safely back in Geneva and the flame of Bejing has been safely extinguished.
Relax...it will happen.
In women's gymnastics, no.
The US coaches had 4 years to get girls 16 and older ready.
The Chinese coaches had 4 years to get girls of any age ready.
“Doesnt experience and a more mature body give the woman an advantage”
Have you seen 18 year-old gymnasts? Do they look like normal 18 year-olds to you?
On top of that, yesterday on the Today show, the American girl who choked said that there was a delay as she prepared to mount the bar. She looked up at the score board, and her name wasn't on it.
That is similar to a batter calling a timeout in the middle of a pitcher's windup.
If you think that was an accident, rather than further Chicom treachery, meet me at Lake Havasu, because I've got a really nice, stately old bridge to sell ya.
Might want to modify your comments - American women just took gold and silver in indiv. gymnasts. Chinese baby girl in 3rd
A child has better power to weight ratio and the have more flexibility.
It’s actually harder for an older more mature girl than a younger girl.
“Doesnt experience and a more mature body give the woman an advantage.”
Possibly not. The weight distribution is different for a more mature female and that is not a help for some gymnastic moves - or so I have been told.
” Doesnt experience and a more mature body give the woman an advantage.”
In gymnastics? no.
And I speak from experience.
As an 11 yr. old I loved the uneven bars - they seemed easy to me. I was beating the older girls.
When I was 17 and 18 I hated the bars and was getting pounded by the 11 yr. olds.
That is gymnastics.
However - girls do tend to get better at vaulting as they get older - as long as they don’t get to be extremely tall.
“a more mature body give the woman an advantage”
No, it doesn’t.
The younger kids literally know no fear. I remember when I was in the under 15 year age group. Gymnastics is still a game to those girls, and they lack the fear of failure or injury that develops later. Their bodies absorb shock much better and falling doesnt hurt as much.
But we still took 1st and 2nd. When I watched them on the medals stand I couldnt help but notice the difference in their physical development. I dont think the little Chinese girl was over 11 or 12 years old.
Younger gymnasts have an advantage. Chinese national championships are open to all ages. The under-age Chinese gymnasts you see at the Olympics are the winners of these national contests. In other words, they defeated Chinese gymnasts older than they were.