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Anonymous
To add on to the previous sentiments on the physical advantages of young gymnasts..
Most gymnasts start training at an early age so experience doesn't really matter when it gets from 12-16, especially with the rigorous work that China puts its gymnasts through from the age of 3.
Also, psychologically younger children may not be as susceptible to pressure. Which I sort of think is bullshit, but at the same time the older a gymnast gets, the more pressure she'll have to succeed before falling out of her prime, which is sort of true.
>>280603
I don't think the IOC ever explicitly stated why they changed the rule. Probably the stuff you described, I guess, but I think it's also sort of to protect the gymnasts from training at too young an age and harming their body's development.
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