Age is the biggest problem in gymnastics
22.08.2011
Gymnastics is a tough sport that requires immense discipline and physiology in order to succeed, Grandi said talking to FISU-AIPS – Young Reporters during the Universiade Shenzhen 2011, currently taking place in China.
“To learn these movements at a young age, that means many gymnasts train for six hours per day. That means they have no possibility to study or to have a normal life.” “This is the big disaster of gymnastics - we have created from time to time the mentality that only gymnastics exists.”
Grandi also sees the often very hard training in gymnastics as a potential problem.
“I want there to be a human aspect of gymnastics and not just one system,” he said.
“We are not teaching animals here; these are women and men. They need to have the maturity to understand what they want.”
Another concern is that athletes’ ages being falsified in order to let under-16 athletes compete in international competitions.
“This is another big social problem. Many times, we must consider the age of the athlete and whether they have modified their passport", Grandi said.
SOURCE: AIPS
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Doniecia Burris,
422 Covert St,
05.12.2012 13:42:
I think that people in between the ages of 5 and 17 should do it. people now and days want to join it. I used to be in gymnastics when I was 8 years old. Now I am looking forward to be back in it. I am 13 years old and i dont think i am too old to do it. I love gymnastics. Now I am ready to get my tumbling on..! Thank you!