ATTENTION: Crazy Gymnast Parent Special REPLAYING NEXT on CNN

[zls44]

The one I ranted on last week, about these parents pushing these yound girls to insane limits? It's gonna be on again at 8 PM on CNN. You should watch at least the first segment on the young girls trying out for a tracking program.

So sad.

[realFedUp]

1. We're really desperate today aren't we....

:-)

[Bunny]

2. At what point does this become child abuse?

Seriously. 5 hrs/day, 5 days/week in the gym for a 12 yr. old? Allowing, no in fact, encouraging the 7 yr. old to compete on a BROKEN ANKLE!!! Why haven't the authorities taken this child away from her parents? The parents need to get a life.

[Kellanved]

3. SOP for olympic athletes

A relict of the cold war - live for kids in a comparable situation is as bad here with the same public debate. Horror stories like crown caps between the toes and so on are leaked regularly - sometimes with legal actions against the parents.

[Bunny]

4. yeah, to make it to the Olympics requires sacrifice.

I get the concept of that. I just have a lot of trouble seeing it in action. Saying things like "it makes the girls mature beyond their years". Why do they have to be mature beyond their years? They're 12, fer Chrissake! And already worrying about their weight. What a ridiculous thing to put a kid through, because seriously, how many of these kids are going to be the next Mary Lou Retton?