Olympics 2008

[cirquelover]

I don't think an 8 year old should compete in the Olympics. That would be too much strain on their little bodies before they are ready. Let alone they wouldn't be able to reach half the bars!

I agree that some of Chinas gymnasts look 12 and I'm pretty sure they are too young from the stuff I've seen online. It just seems like cheating to me!

[NickO'Time]

Armstrong wins Gold!

Levi Leipheimer of Santa Rosa, Ca captured bronze in the Men's Time Trial.

I knew Cancellara would win Gold. He's a rocket on a bike!

[Moonliner]

NBC had an interview with Mark Spitz today. He seemed genuinely happy for Phelps and USA Swimming. Plus the man has aged surprisingly well.

[swanie]

Originally Posted by Moonliner

NBC had an interview with Mark Spitz today. He seemed genuinely happy for Phelps and USA Swimming...

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.

[Alex]

Originally Posted by cirquelover

I don't think an 8 year old should compete in the Olympics. That would be too much strain on their little bodies before they are ready. Let alone they wouldn't be able to reach half the bars!

What they do already is more strain than their bodies generally can or should handle.

[Moonliner]

Originally Posted by Alex

What they do already is more strain than their bodies generally can or should handle.

The same can be said of NFL players, truck drivers, factory workers, etc...

I don't think you can paint with so broad of a brush here. If you have a child who loves the sport, wants to compete at the highest level and is willing to put in the time then I say bravo to that. Support them as much as you can.

On the other hand if you take a 3 Year old away from their family to live at the gymnastics camp for the next 20 years or so, that is a problem. As is the overbearing parent who is pushing their kid to accomplish something they themselves never could.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by Moonliner

On the other hand if you take a 3 Year old away from their family to live at the gymnastics camp for the next 20 years or so, that is a problem. As is the overbearing parent who is pushing their kid to accomplish something they themselves never could.

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.

[Moonliner]

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

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?

[Alex]

Originally Posted by Moonliner

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

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.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by Moonliner

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?

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.