<P> On the one hand, proponents such as Jeanne Dopbrak, a sports medicine physician at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, contend that "(a child athlete's) immature skeleton just isn't ready to handle the day - to - day stresses that will occur ." and that the stresses imposed on only partly developed muscular / skeletal system by gymnastics are almost certain to cause damage that would persist into adulthood . Proponents also point to a 16 - year American study of gymnastics injuries which concluded that gymnastics is the most dangerous sport for girls, with injury rates comparable to those found in boys who play soccer, basketball and hockey . An athlete whose bones are still growing is more likely than an adult to suffer skeletal injury, because the bones are more porous and the joints not yet fully formed . Lesions, which are precursors to stress fractures, occur in 11 percent of young female gymnasts, compared to 2.3 percent of girls and women in general . The International Gymnastics Federation says that intense physical activity, such as that engaged in by gymnasts training at the elite level, affects the functioning of growth hormones, possibly causing delayed bone growth and the onset of puberty--although the body is able to recover and catch up later if given rest periods . </P> <P> In addition, proponents contend that practicing elite sports is mentally and emotionally demanding . Young gymnasts at these levels are often pressured to perform by coaches and parents, and ex-gymnasts have spoken out about behavioural and psychological problems common to the sport . </P> <P> Currently, per the 1997 regulation, gymnasts must be at least 16 years of age, or turning 16 within the calendar year, to compete in senior - level events . For the current Olympic cycle, in order to compete in the 2016 Olympics, a gymnast must have a birth date before January 1, 2001 . There is no maximum age restriction, and some gymnasts compete well into their 20s . The oldest female gymnast currently competing in senior international events is Uzbekistan's Oksana Chusovitina, (b . 1975) who will be 41 years, 1 month old at the 2016 Summer Olympics . She was 17 years, 1 month old at her first Olympics, the 1992 Summer Olympics . </P> <P> The term senior, in gymnastics, refers to any world - class gymnast who is age - eligible under F.I.G. rules . The term junior is used to describe any gymnast who competes at a world - class level, but does not meet the F.I.G.'s age minimum . Juniors are judged under the same Code of Points as the seniors, and often exhibit the same level of difficulty in their routines . </P>

How old do u have to be to compete in the olympics
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