What about the parent that lives in utter poverty and who sees that their child's only possible path out of that poverty is to send them away at 3? It's not a good thing that that's their only option, but it is the reality.

They are doing what they see as right for their child. Is it what's best for the child? Maybe, maybe not.

But the question is, do you think it is wrong for any child to train as hard as the elite level athletes do?

As much as I enjoy watching gymnastics I think the entire culture surrounding it is unhealthy.

When that elite training will have lifelong repercussions for their physical well being, comfort, education, and general health. Yes, I'd say so.

When being allowed to train for a goal where you'll then be told that the expectations and hopes of national glory ride on your shoulders? Yes, I'd say so.

Yes, there is a risk of serious injury in pretty much any athletic endeavor. But in women's gymnastics (more than male where the emphasis is more on upper body strength that doesn't fully develop into adulthood) it is endemic for them to essentially be walking stress fractures, engaging in a level of physical activity that delays maturation (stunting growth), and generally being removed from anything resembling a normal life. Sure, it may not be as overt as the factory system of the Chinese but it is nearly just as bad here.

All so that every four years millions can look on and say "ooh, pretty." Yes, it is pretty. It is also, in my opinion, wrong.

People should be willing to sacrifice themselves in some way for my personal amusement. I see no problem with that.

Then Spitz has been taking acting lessons. ;)

My Mom used to work for Arena swimwear back in the day when they did the suits for the Olympics. Unless he has found a change of heart (which based on other recent interviews..I'm sure he hasn't), the man was as pompous and arrogant as they come. He was a horrible person to deal with, so much so that the entire staff would cringe when he'd walk in. I'm guessing he's making nice now because someone has finally talked to him. No one likes seeing a poor loser, and that's what he's been doing in the lead up to his record hopefully being broken.

For example, I love this commentary written in the Baltimore Sun...
Dear Mark Spitz, Get Over It. Move on with your life.

Bottom line...he was a great athlete, just not a good man.

Add another "not a fan of the man" here....he attended the Special Olympics summer games 3 different times when I was involved as both coach and director of our area and he was a pompous arse to the kids but they didn't realize it. The volunteers all did and none of us made much of an effort to stroke his ego after the first time 'meet and greet' with the guy.

My boss's daughter is way into gymnastics. She's had two knee surgeries and now has a very serious back injury. She's 15.

Maddys cousins were way into it as well. Driving two hours each way from their home for training. When I asked why I got the well they could get college scholarships. Um not if they're injured. Wouldn't it be more prudent to put all the cash you're spending on meets and gas and lessons into a college fund? You'd probably have more at the end of the day.

Hrmmm... then I am going to assume you have never read the 1995 nonfiction book "Little Girls in Pretty Boxes: The Making and Breaking of Elite Gymnasts and Figure Skaters" by SF Chronicle sports writer Joan Ryan.

You will never, ever look at Olympic-level female gymnasts the same way again. Ever. Trust me.

On the whole, absolutely. But on the scale of individual choice, I find it hard to fault the parents who are stuck within a scenario that leaves them little other choice.