Anon Putting age caps for DP levels

[Anonymous (2fd6)]

My question....how many sane parents would look at a gym with divisive posts, weak history of success at upper levels and social media predominantly revolving around one young child and think this that is the place to be?

I don't think many informed parents would choose said gym for DP. Seems like most of their business is Xcel.

 

[Anonymous (c22c)]

I don't think the OP is against 12 year olds competing bronze. They are against 12 year olds competing levels that were designed for kids under age 7.

I would question why are there any levels "designed for kids under age 7"

 

[Anonymous (2fd6)]

I would question why are there any levels "designed for kids under age 7"

I agree they seem silly. And even sillier when competed by older kids.

 

[Anonymous (55ff)]

I don't think many informed parents would choose said gym for DP. Seems like most of their business is Xcel.

Agee. They seem to have had an exodus of gymnasts after the 2025 season. They had a handful of level 6's, and it seems they all left to go to another gym, or quit.

I also happened to find this article:

Romanian federation bans coach for assault

A Romanian coach has been banned for a year by his national federation for physically abusing a gymnast, an official told Reuters on Tuesday.

www.espn.com

 

[Anonymous (4210)]

Agee. They seem to have had an exodus of gymnasts after the 2025 season. They had a handful of level 6's, and it seems they all left to go to another gym, or quit.

I also happened to find this article:

Romanian federation bans coach for assault

A Romanian coach has been banned for a year by his national federation for physically abusing a gymnast, an official told Reuters on Tuesday.

www.espn.com

I think they explained the situation. I do think considering his background, the “early cherry-pick” and “weed out” process is common among Asian and east European countries, so I get where he is coming from, but it is an entirely different system here. The private clubs enables mass participation for kids with a variety of goals and trajectories, versus kids are picked to be successful for elite. In the US, we also don’t have the affordable integrated “sports schools” or municipal teams that funnel as the pipeline. Yes, in these countries, you gotta start and train hard early on, and yes if your goal is making the national team by 13-14, and peak during the Olympic cycle. Burnout, injuries and short athletic life are not among the concerns. There are pros and cons in each. They are just simply not the same system.

 

[Anonymous (55ff)]

I think they explained the situation. I do think considering his background, the “early cherry-pick” and “weed out” process is common among Asian and east European countries, so I get where he is coming from, but it is an entirely different system here. The private clubs enables mass participation for kids with a variety of goals and trajectories, versus kids are picked to be successful for elite. In the US, we also don’t have the affordable integrated “sports schools” or municipal teams that funnel as the pipeline. Yes, in these countries, you gotta start and train hard early on, and yes if your goal is making the national team by 13-14, and peak during the Olympic cycle. Burnout, injuries and short athletic life are not among the concerns. There are pros and cons in each. They are just simply not the same system.

And I totally get that he comes from a different system. But it seems a tad bit narcissistic to petition USAG to change the rules because of his Eastern European philosophy.

Nothing is stopping him from running his gym the way he wants to. If he doesn't want his little level 2's competing against older girls, then find some bigger meets to go to where that won't be an issue. Trying to get USAG to change their rules (when there really doesn't seem to be an issue) is going to be a fruitless endeavor.