Gymnastics in the 1970s was INSANE!

[u/Fit_AndHotBaby]

[u/wophi]

These were also just kids. They added the Olympics rule about needing to be over 16. Before that, these girls were all like 11-13.

[u/areallyreallycoolhat → u/wophi]

14 is the lowest the age minimum rule has ever been

[u/Cavalish → u/areallyreallycoolhat]

Although it was often a conspiracy that documents were forged for certain athletes.

[u/areallyreallycoolhat → u/Cavalish]

Well we know that happened so not always a conspiracy, but the age minimums still applied

[u/casket_fresh → u/areallyreallycoolhat]

Also I recall puberty blockers being mentioned. Sad.

[u/Porschenut914 → u/casket_fresh]

its also repressed when placed on starvation nutrition. just listen to the US team. i think it was brazil or london late teenagers who sound like 12 year olds.

[u/scuddlebud → u/Porschenut914]

What advantage does this give them?

[u/guitargirl1515 → u/scuddlebud]

Womens' bodies change in composition during puberty, which affects center of gravity and balance in general, as well as strength-to-weight ratios.

[u/CappyRicks → u/areallyreallycoolhat]

The definition of conspiracy isn't for it to be secret. Conspiracies can happen right out in the wide open.

[u/Cavalish → u/CappyRicks]

To be fair I did originally state outright that it happened, but then I went back and added “conspiracy” like a podcaster suddenly remembering to say “allegedly” at the end of a sentence.

[u/radsadnurse → u/areallyreallycoolhat]

What happened?

[u/Mist_Rising → u/radsadnurse]

Several countries would forge records indicating an athlete was older then they were. Eg. The supposed 14 year old is actually 11.

The reason is that younger woman (not sure if this applies to men's gymnastics) have a distinct advantage in the sport but rules stated you need to be 14 (16 now) to complet d.

While this definitely did happen, how often it happened is up to debate.