under-age gymnast at Worlds?

Gabby Douglas.

… wait a minute. She’s old enough, barely. 🙂

Had Gabby Douglas been born 12 hours later, she’d be home in Iowa on Tuesday instead of anchoring the U.S. lineup on uneven bars at the world gymnastics championships.

Douglas, you see, was born on Dec. 31, 1995, making her eligible – barely – to compete at this year’s world championships while other potential stars at next summer’s London Olympics have to remain under wraps until January. …

Age represents more than a number in gymnastics

At the opening press conference, President Bruno Grandi answered a question on this point (from Nancy Armour), energetically.

He argued strongly that we should not have “children” at Worlds. To compete at this level, gymnasts should be old enough to take responsibility for their decisions.

I was impressed with his passion. He needs to be strong on this as that’s opposed by a large majority of coaches in the world, I’d say.

Stoica and Kim said exactly nothing at that press conference. As usual.

Happily there have been no rumours of under-age gymnasts in Tokyo.