http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/olympics/article4583174.ece

It's about time! What do ya wanna bet she's under 16?

She's not the only one

If they broke the rule, they should lose any related medals. HOWEVER, the IOC is idiotic for implementing such a rule--it is begging nations to cheat. Besides, if the best athlete is 12, let them compete!

I couldnt agree more with setting a minimum age, this portion of the article says it all...

"The minimum age for female gymnasts was increased from 14 to 15 in 1981, and up to 16 in 1997, to protect the physical and mental health of young athletes.

Nadia Comaneci was 14 when she won her fist Olympic gold medal in 1976. Yet despite her stardom, there were criticisms that young girls were being pushed too hard at an age when their bodies and bones were still growing, causing permanent damage. Ironically her coach was Mr Karolyi.

There were also concerns about their mental health, because of the pressure of competing on the world stage at such a young age, and that they were vulnerable to exploitation and even physical abuse by coaches. "

I am just glad they are going to do something about it instead of ignore it!

Perhaps some justice...at last!

Hey, I don't necessarily agree with the slot length limits on several of our lakes, but I abide because it's the LAW, and rules are rules until they change.

rules are made to be broken.
Or was that records?

Is it me or does that little girl creep you out a little?? Maybe it's just the pic in the article, but the first thing that came to mind was the famous "banjo boy" from Deliverance..

Lord, I Apologize...

Good. While I would like China stripped of its gold because they chose to cheat, I am not sure I would want team USA to get the gold. We shot ourselves in the foot during the team competition. But on the other hand, one of their athletes fell off the high bar during her exercise yet was scored a 15.7? that was higher than some of our girls that gave a flawless routine. The scoring just did not make sense.

I am proud of our girls and even prouder they kept their heads held up through all of the adversity.

That photo of He does look like she still has some baby teeth.

They did raise the age because of all the stress inflicted on younger gymnasts bodies. Not only are their bodies stressed by all the training, but there were severe diet regimens for young girls that were still growing and maturing. I believe the severe diet restrictions had more harmful effects on their growth and development.