Not all of the world's best female gymnasts will be in London for this week's World Championships. The gymnasts featured below, most of whom are potential World medalists, are not of age to compete. According to International Gymnastics Federation rules, a gymnast is required to turn 16 by the end of the year to be eligible. Many of these young women are 14 or 15.
Anna Dementeva, Russia, 2009 Russian Cup, Floor:
Viktoria Komova, Russia, 2009 International Juniors, Beam:
Aliya Mustafina, Russia, 2009 Russian Cup, Uneven Bars:
Tatiana Nabieva, Russia, 2009 Japan Cup, Floor:
Jordyn Wieber, USA, 2009 American Cup, Beam:
Bridgette Caquatto, USA, 2009 U.S. Championships Finals, Uneven Bars:
Sabrina Vega, USA, 2009 U.S. Championships Finals, Floor:
Laura Svilpaite, Lithuania, 2009 FinGym, Beam:
Natsumi Sasada, Japan, 2009 Australian Youth Olympic Festival, Beam:
Amelia Racea, Romania, 2009 European Youth Olympic Festival, Floor:
Larisa Iordache, Romania, 2009 Romanian Nationals All-Around, Beam:
Tan Sixin, China, 2009 Chinese National Games Event Finals, Beam:
Cui Jie, China, 2009 Australian Youth Olympic Festival, Floor:
Just calls out for a montage, doesn't it? Or a Junior World Championship. Or the abolition of the age requirement.
Who's missing from this list? Please comment!
Comments
If they can stay healthy, Russia is going to be scary good in 2012!
So much talent. You have alot of these girls names although, i would definitely add Diana Bulimar from Romania too. She is on the same level as Larissa Lordache, her biggest rival but also one of her best friends. she is remarkable on fx, vt and bb.
Am I the only one who likes the age rule? Who wants to watch little kids in the Olympics? I think the age rule gives older girls their time to shine. Who says women gymnasts have to peak in their teens? Let them stay healthy and compete when they're more mature. Women can peak much later in other Olympic sports, why not gymnastics?
I think a Junior Worlds would be a fantastic idea, because the younger girls deserve a chance to gain experience too. Figure skating has a Junior Worlds.
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