Older athletes (older like in the mid-late 20s or even 30s) will be stronger, faster, more disciplined, more experienced, than their 14-16 year equivalents. Is it just flexibility? There are circus contortionists and yoga enthusiasts that are incredibly flexible into their 30s or later.
I can’t think of any trait unique to gymnastics that other sports don’t also require to explain why gymnasts are so dang young, particularly the women’s. Men’s gymnastics seems to have a much older average age.
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I just read this fascinating article about why gymnasts are getting older. Eligibility rule changes, scoring changes giving more points for powerful moves, NCAA sponsorship rule changes, fallout from Nassar and Karyoli. Very interesting stuff.
https://www.newyorker.com/sports/sporting-scene/elite-gymnasts-are-aging-up#:~:text=The%20average%20age%20of%20medal,year%2C%20the%20trend%20has%20continued.
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