Random Thoughts On Chinese Gymnast Ages

Are the Chinese Gymnasts 16 or anywhere near turning 16 this year. I don't know, probably never will. They certainly do not look like they are 15 or 16 yet, especially taking into account pictures of them with missing teeth. On other hand Asian people typically have smaller bodies than us westerners and most of the people of Asian descent I have gone to school with looked younger than the rest of the children in their grades. I would imagine that in 20% of the world's population it is probable that you could find more than a few 16 year old girls that look much younger. The proverbial late bloomers.

If the Chinese girls are too young then we need to find out (if possible, which I doubt it is at this point) and strip them of their medals. The 16 year old rule was put in place to protect the safety of the girls. If China is putting these girls at risk of greater injury in the future, it cannot be condoned.

What bothers me about the whole thing is that if the Chinese were not so dominant, if they came in deak last, nobody would care in the least bit if the girls were less than 10. It is only when they win that we care. This should either be about safety, or it should not.

On the other hand, if these girls are simply late bloomers, that would mean that their bodies have net yet developed fully and it is still not safe for them to compete. If this is the case, then the rule is not doing much good anyway.

Additionally, the rule only prevents competition, not training. We all know that in every country girls begin taking gymnastics classes much earlier that 16. So even then it seems that the 16 year old rule is not about safety, sowhat is it for?