Over the years, gymnastics has evolved significantly. From the era of Nadia Comaneci to the current dominance of Simone Biles, women’s gymnastics has undergone many changes. Key factors for success in the modern sport now include endurance, body composition, and power. Gone are the days when female gymnasts were judged based on stereotypical standards. With the new age of gymnastics making waves, an important question arises: Are gymnasts entering the sport at too young an age?

This was the same question presented to Philippe Silacci, a former FIG Press Officer. Opining on the matter, Silacci took a walk down the memory lane. He pointed out how the entry-level age for senior gymnasts has increased over the years. Silacci stated, “Let’s have a look to the past. In the 50s, the youth was 14 to compete at the international level. It was increased to 15 and today it’s 16.” 

He then called for a reform and stressed on raising the entry age further. Silacci stated that international gymnasts must be at least 18 years old before turning elite. Justifying his point of view, the former FIG Press Officer stated, “It’s a question of artistry somewhere. Because when you see a gymnast with 16 performing a floor exercise, you will see the difference between this 16-year-old gymnast and a 19, which is a young woman and no longer, only a young gymnast.” 

Silacci certainly has a point. Young gymnasts may have superior flexibility, which helps them perform well initially. However, the mental stress they often endure can become overwhelming. Take Simone Biles, for example. She burst onto the scene in Rio, showcasing impeccable athleticism and winning Olympic gold medals at just 16. Although everything seemed rosy at first, things soon began to unravel. The pressure of winning Olympic gold mounted on Biles, and wherever she went, fans expected nothing less than gold.

This became too much for her to take. And she crumbled. She crumbled in the grandest stage of all the Tokyo Olympics 2020. Suffering from a mental blockage(twisties), Biles had to go through hell. With almost half of the world labeling her as a ‘quitter’, Biles had a long and tedious path en route to her redemption in Paris. And Biles is not the only example. American gymnast, Hezly Rivera is yet another instance of catching up with fame too soon. 

Hezly Rivera qualified for the Paris Olympics at just 16. And guess what? She managed to win the gold medal as part of the women’s gymnastics team. Soon, her life began to change. She was invited to the White House, threw the first pitch, and is also touring the country as part of the Gold Over America Tour. Now, all these attentions are surely a feel-good moment after such a huge achievement. But as per Rivera, it also gives her burnout occasionally. To quote the 16-year-old, all these back-to-back actions in her life feel “a little bit overwhelming” at times. Now, with the issue of age being raised significantly, a recent rumor had the gymnastics community riled up at the start of the year. 

Gymnastics Federation to raise the age of gymnasts? 

Earlier in January this year, a rumor came about about the Gymnastics Federation looking to raise the entry age of the gymnasts. According to the update, the senior age for the WAG will be raised to 18 instead of 16. This was initially reported by an account named ITANASTICS on X. The post read, “WTF?! Based on the Italian National Team, in 2025 there will a lot of changes in the CoP. The gymnasts will turn Senior at 18 years old and not at 16 years old.” 

While this might be a welcome change, numerous counter-proposals have also surfaced. Many argue that the intense competition makes it difficult for gymnasts over 18 to maintain peak physical conditioning, which could ultimately lower the standard of elite gymnastics. After all, not everyone is Simone Biles, still excelling at 27! Another suggestion is that instead of raising the age limit, the federation could reduce the number of yearly competitions or lower the difficulty level to prevent burnout. With so many possibilities in play, it remains to be seen which decision will ultimately prevail.