Chinese children contorted into painful positions in gymnastics 'training'

[Shabz Nist]

Hang in there: How children as young as four are stretched in training to be China's future gymnasts

Read more: Chinese children contorted into painful positions in gymnastics 'training' | Mail Online

It's enough to make any parents grimace as these Chinese children are contorted into the most uncomfortable positions.
Aged between four and seven, the young gymnasts are put through a rigorous stretching routine by their coaches during a training session.
One youngster has his hamstrings stretched out as his instructor pins his leg almost vertically alongside his head.

And girls are made to perfect their balance by standing on one leg while holding their other limb above their heads.
The gymnasts were taking part in a training session at the gymnastics hall of a sports school in Jiaxing, in the Zhejiang province in China.
Chinese officials have insisted that tough new eligibility rules will end the type of 'age cheat' scandal which saw a Chinese gymnast stripped of her bronze medal.

Dong Fangxiao won gold as part of the China women's team event at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia.
The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) decided in February to cancel all results obtained by Miss Fangxiao and the International Olympic Committee followed in April by stripping China of the medal.
An investigation by the FIG revealed she was only 14 when she competed in the games. Athletes must be 16 in the year of the games to be able to take part.


Read more: Chinese children contorted into painful positions in gymnastics 'training' | Mail Online

 

[Avisheik]

Kids with 6 packs are freaking scary.

However, i think its the fault of the parents of the kids not China itself. I personally met some China chinese parents and they push their kids too hard in whatever field the child is participating in

 

[Shabz Nist]

Its very sad....and all this for winning olympic medals?

 

[Avisheik]

Its very sad....and all this for winning olympic medals?

Money and fame for the family. Not forgetting getting "face" in the community

 

[Roybot]

This is just messed up. Am envious of Chinese achievements, but not at this cost.

 

[Polemos]

A step forward- and you have Hitler Youth.

 

[Shabz Nist]

A step forward- and you have Hitler Youth.

How true...

 

[alphamale]

to hell with the medals, what are they doing to kids???? what kind of parents these kids have?????

 

[Shabz Nist]

to hell with the medals, what are they doing to kids???? what kind of parents these kids have?????

Its nothing short of barbaric. But then again...i suppose anything goes in communist china..

 

[Adnan Faruqi]

Hang in there: How children as young as four are stretched in training to be China's future gymnasts

Read more: Chinese children contorted into painful positions in gymnastics 'training' | Mail Online

It's enough to make any parents grimace as these Chinese children are contorted into the most uncomfortable positions.
Aged between four and seven, the young gymnasts are put through a rigorous stretching routine by their coaches during a training session.
One youngster has his hamstrings stretched out as his instructor pins his leg almost vertically alongside his head.

And girls are made to perfect their balance by standing on one leg while holding their other limb above their heads.
The gymnasts were taking part in a training session at the gymnastics hall of a sports school in Jiaxing, in the Zhejiang province in China.
Chinese officials have insisted that tough new eligibility rules will end the type of 'age cheat' scandal which saw a Chinese gymnast stripped of her bronze medal.

Dong Fangxiao won gold as part of the China women's team event at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia.
The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) decided in February to cancel all results obtained by Miss Fangxiao and the International Olympic Committee followed in April by stripping China of the medal.
An investigation by the FIG revealed she was only 14 when she competed in the games. Athletes must be 16 in the year of the games to be able to take part.


Read more: Chinese children contorted into painful positions in gymnastics 'training' | Mail Online

Its very very scary will not approve it at any cost.

 

[Avatar]

This is insanity. Little kids must not have to endure such pain for the sake of a medal. Many other countries are winning the same medals without using these inhuman ways.

 

[Chogy]

Many countries are doing similar... pushing way too hard, way too early.

And one of the saddest things is that those girls will be past their prime once they turn 18 or 19. Female gymnastics has become tumbling vs. grace in most cases. The males might hang on a bit longer, to their early 20's. But all of them lose their childhoods.

 

[boris]

Many countries are doing similar... pushing way too hard, way too early.

And one of the saddest things is that those girls will be past their prime once they turn 18 or 19. Female gymnastics has become tumbling vs. grace in most cases. The males might hang on a bit longer, to their early 20's. But all of them lose their childhoods.

The Soviets I recall were known for real hard routine's but they didn't do it with little kids.I agree that very hard training gives you the extra edge but not in childhood years for christ's sake.This is where I like the american model find your interest first and then put all your effort into it.

 

[shfgfa]

This is insanity. Little kids must not have to endure such pain for the sake of a medal. Many other countries are winning the same medals without using these inhuman ways.

absolutely true.
the training surely can be tough, but certainly not harsh

 

[Zabaniyah]

I know it's good to train at an early age, but this is just too extreme...

Reminds of the Imperial Sardaukar.
Sardaukar - Dune Wiki - Frank Herbert, David Lynch, Sandworms

Okay, maybe NOT as extreme as the Sardaukar.