With all the debate regarding the minimum age rule in Senior International Gymnastics, let’s consider the case study of American gymnast Jordyn Weiber.
The USA and her coaches were soundly criticized when Jordyn won American Cup at the tender age of 13.
She was being “pushed” too fast. Competing world champion level difficulty years before she would be eligible for Senior competition. Recall the controversy?
Because I knew and trusted her coaches, I defended them at the time. And today I’m thrilled to hear all the reports from Australia.
Coach John Geddert:
Jordyn Wiber won the Junior division of the Pacific Rim championships posting a phenomenal 59.55. Considering its been 14 months since she competed last … that is amazing. She made finals in all 4 events, helped the USA claim the TEAM GOLD and was the highest AA score for the USA Team …
Read a great backgrounder on International Gymnast:
… “I’m really excited to finally compete it,” she said. “It’s really fun to perform.”
While the new routine boasts the usual stunning array of difficult tumbling we have come to expect from Wieber, it is the dance where we truly witness just how much fun she is having. She performed the dynamic, yet elegant routine with both dignity and the kind of sass factor that catches the eye in a way her dance never has before.
Today, Wieber’s happiness at returning to the sport she loves was palpable. The smile barely left her face as she danced her way through the perfectly suited routine. It remained after a solid day of training brilliantly on every single event. It is no wonder, when asked what apparatus she was enjoying most at the moment.
“I don’t really have a favorite, currently,” she said. “At the moment I actually really like competing every event.”
Brigid McCarthy – Jordyn Wieber: Back With a Vengeance
Congratulations Jordyn.
4 comments ↓
Plus, whoever does her eyebrows deserves a medal of their own. Flaw-less!
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I always got the feeling from reading articles on her coach that he fully understood how to pace her. She had (has, not sure) a lighter schedule then many elites. While she was hurt they didn’t run to every camp and she isn’t all taped up. Plus, she has gone through a growth spurt and looks as good as new. Don’t forget the Olympics are about 2 years away and her first World’s are next year. This is the time to get your skills under your belt and be clean for the next 2.
The point of the Olympics and high-level competitions are to show who is strongest; some people really are just naturally talented and strong and should not be criticized for being good at a young age. It is always easy to differentiate who’s bodies are pushed too hard and who’s bodies simply have the right DNA (mentail + physical). I think the age limit for the Olympics is appropriate only because it weeds out those athletes who are not truly strong enough to yet be called the best in the world. (After all, it is not fair for a young girl to win an olympic title if she then goes on to lose a lot of athletic ability due to natural body changes. That’s what Junior-level is for. And so with the Olympic age-limit already set at 16, isn’t it obvious that anyone who can compete with the best of them at the American Cup at 13-yo is filled with natural talent, rather than over-training?)
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