Too Young? Participation of 12-Year-Old Yu Zidi at World Championships Sparks Debate
The way Yu Zidi performed at the World Championships belied her age. The Chinese youngster, just a 12-year-old, finished fourth in three events in Singapore – the 200-meter butterfly, 200 individual medley and 400 individual medley. Yu proved she belonged at the global meet, as she excelled with a trio of personal-best times while racing against the premier swimmers in the world.
According to World Aquatics rules, an athlete must be 14 years old to compete in a World Aquatics competition, unless he/she meets the top qualifying standard in an event. Because Yu hit the A qualifying standard in her events, she was eligible for the World Champs. Still, there is debate over whether Yu should have been allowed to compete in Singapore. Specifically, some individuals have questioned whether participating was healthy for a pre-teen.
“Twelve years old is incredibly young in swimming,” said Linda Flanagan, an author and journalist who has written frequently on the topic of children in sports. “A 12-year-old does not train like an 18- or 20-year-old because their bodies aren’t equipped to handle the work involved.And also emotionally, it’s not in their best interest. It flies in the face of what psychologists say about what’s healthy for kids, which is not to put all your eggs in one basket, to spread your interests so you don’t become this narrow person.”
The sport of swimming has long been known for the emergence of young female talents. American Amanda Beard was just 14 when she won three medals at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. At the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, Japan’s Kyoko Iwasaki captured the gold medal in the 200 breaststroke.
For Great Britain, Sharron Davies represented the British National Team as an 11-year-old and she was a 1976 Olympian in Montreal at the age of 13, swimming the 200 backstroke. With firsthand experience to rely on, Davies didn’t see a problem with Yu competing at the World Championships.
“It is a total misconception that (Yu) would have been extremely nervous,” Davies said in an interview with Reuters. “It would have been the opposite. “(When) I made (the 1976) Olympic Games, I was just on cloud nine. There was nothing for me to lose and everything to gain. And it would have been the same for her. She had nothing to lose and everything to gain.”
Linda Flanagan clearly knows NOTHING about age group swimming, coaches know a 12 to 13 year old girl can never tire out, they take everything the coach gives them and they do it at 100%. I loved coaching 10 to 13 year old girls, they really listen to the coach and are perfect for peer modeling. The Chinese coaches are doing a great job with this young lady.
Thanks for commenting, Wayne. Not sure how Reuters decided on interviewing Flanagan.
I remember when Ye Shiwen was thoroughly excoriated by Western MSM for her “unbelievable performance” in the Women’s 400m individual medley at the 2012 London Olympics… but she was already 16yo at the time.
12-years-old and swimming in the World Championship is very unusual, but is it really something to be concerned about? The athlete in question qualified for her events, why shouldn’t she compete?
However, the rule governing this is confusing. World Aquatics sets 14 years as the minimum age to compete but allows younger athletes to compete if they qualify. Does this make sense to anyone? Of course they should compete if they qualify. Were there any athletes at the meet over 14 who did not qualify?
confusing phrasing/reporting of the rule, but what it seems to mean is that under-14s can’t be given a universality place but have to qualify by getting the A standard
Correct. Under-14 cannot be given a universailty spot. To compete under that age requires meeting the A standard.
Yes, some nations are awarded universaility entries to promote the sport in these countries. Athletes given this type of entry do not need to qualify by hitting a time standard.
I don’t understand how this is a debate -> it is the World championships, not a “13 and over” world championships. You can’t exclude the fourth fastest person in the world based off of age and still call it a world championship. Whether any factor (an internal phobia, financial challenges, taking care of a sick family member) or any age (12, 13, 16, etc.) makes competing a bad idea from a mental health perspective is a family decision and not one for regulation.