Gymnastics is a sport in which age often makes or breaks an Olympic dream. In women’s elite gymnastics, it is commonly known that “younger is better,” and for the athletes that continue on to compete in college, the road is usually over by age 22 or 23. 

Why the sixteen stereotype?
Over the years, 16 has been known to be the prime age because it is a time in a gymnast’s life when her body is developed enough to be strong and powerful, but not too broken down from the effects of rigorous training. Of course, this varies among athletes, as some blossom later on in their college years, while others endure serious injuries and end their gymnastics journeys before they reach 16. Generally, the “perfect scenario” for a young gymnast is to turn 16 in the year of the Olympics, or in the case of Gabby Douglas, one day before the year of the Olympics. However, lately, the norm seems to be changing, and older athletes are showing that they are only getting better with age.

The 2015 Worlds team includes several athletes who are far past the known “peak” age for gymnasts. As a matter of fact, not one athlete on the team is younger than 18. Four of the members (Simone Biles, Maggie Nichols, Madison Kocian, MyKayla Skinner) are 18 years old, two (Gabby Douglas and Brenna Dowell) are 19 years old, and Aly Raisman is 21 years old.

The young upcoming stars that will turn 16 the year of the Olympics are currently still juniors, and were not eligible for the Worlds team. But, with the incredible talent and strong leadership among these Worlds team members, alternates, and other senior National Team members, it will be very difficult for the younger gymnasts to step up and prove that they belong on the Olympic team. (See: 2016 Foresight - Will The Juniors Reach Rio?)

As former Olympians, Raisman and Douglas--more than anyone else--have had to prove themselves to the doubters in their comebacks. Both took several years off after the 2012 Games, but came back with big goals of punching tickets to Rio, and they put in the work to be on that path. Even after taking significant time off, these athletes seem to have only increased their strength and power, and are approaching their goals with a new level of drive. 

Raisman has upgraded many tumbling passes on floor, competes an Amanar on vault like she did in 2012, and is still super solid on beam. Check out Aly’s incredible four-year tumbling transformation HERE.

Douglas has been coming back steadily, pacing herself to have her second peak right when it counts. She hasn’t competed her Amanar yet, but said at P&G Championships that she is “playing her cards right,” and not risking injury by competing skills before she is ready. Douglas has shown consistency in her comeback, and she is confident her training plan will make her a top contender for Rio. See the difference in Gabby’s beam between 2012 and 2015 HERE.

So with all age stereotypes aside, this Worlds team--with an average age of 18.7 years old--is proving that you can still be a total rockstar in elite gymnsatics far past age 16. 


Related:
U.S. 2015 World Championships Team Announced
Road To Rio: Individually...Perhaps Worlds Is Not So Huge