In a twist, elite gymnasts are extending their careers, bucking expectations.
When the 2008 Olympics loomed on the horizon and NBC needed to introduce viewers to the gymnasts hoping to become stars in Beijing, Nastia Liukin appeared on the screen as the broadcast for the 2007 U.S. nationals began. She sat at her training facility with her feet submerged in cold water. A clip moments later showed her ankle being wrapped heavily with tape.The nagging injury was “just one of her issues,” commentator Al Trautwig said.
And then Shawn Johnson appeared, diving into a swimming pool while hanging out with friends. Johnson, crowned the national champion two days later, was rightfully cast as a rising phenom — with her age, 15 at the time, described as “perfect.” Meanwhile, Liukin’s birthday dictated an Olympic timeline that was “not necessarily ideal in the world of women’s gymnastics.”Only recently have the top Americans altered the perceptions in the United States about when female gymnasts peak.
Behind Biles, fellow Olympians Jordan Chiles and Jade Carey will contend for podium finishes, as will Shilese Jones, the 21-year-old reigning world all-around silver medalist. Among the 29 entrants in the senior women’s division, the average age is 18.1, and that probably will be higher among the top finishers.
From 2006 to 2019, just 7 percent of competitors at nationals were at least 20 years old. In the past three editions of the event, that mark has risen to 17 percent. And most notably, these athletes have performed well.
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