Faster, higher, stronger – together. The official Olympic motto proposed by Pierre de Coubertin, considered the father of the modern Olympics, required a further addition: earlier. Yes, the athletes are getting younger. The Youth Olympics have existed since 2007, are sponsored by the International Olympic Committee and are for athletes between the ages of 13 and 18. And in football, baby talent searches now include children as young as twelve. But the Charter of parental duties in sport developed by Panathlon, an international movement for the promotion and dissemination of sports culture and ethics, clearly states: “I will prevent my children from engaging in strenuous competitive activities, up to the age of 14, except for educational discipline, giving priority to leisure and recreational sports”. Competitiveness runs faster, otherwise the company will not survive.
CHILD OF STEEL
The most striking case in 2025 is that of Yu Zidi, a 12-year-old Chinese swimmer who made a splash with his overall World Championship swimming results: a bronze medal in the 4×200 freestyle relay and fourth in three individual events (200-400 medley, 200 butterfly). In Singapore, Yu Zidi earned praise from other competitors, but leaders of World Aquatics, the world swimming federation, questioned themselves about the “boy of steel” and considered whether to change the rules regarding precocious athletes. True or not right? Depends. But let’s take an example.
PODIUM AGE
There are some countries that place great importance on sports as a recreational activity and prefer to wait before introducing children to competitions. Like Norway, where there is a Charter of Children’s Rights which prohibits children from taking part in national championships before the age of 13. In contrast, in Italy, a girl of that age made her debut in Serie A volleyball this year. They are different, their visions are opposite. But if Norway consistently ranks first at the Winter Olympics and has a hugely successful sporting model that is the envy of the rest of the world, then that must mean something. And the secret lies precisely in the main motivation of those who exercise: pleasure. So as to avoid excessive pressure at an early age.
SAMPLE LIST
Then there are other complicated issues. These figures show that fewer and fewer children are being born in our country and therefore the number of children that can be taken is narrowing. “Demographic decline represents a real critical problem. Between 1992 and 2024 we lose 4.2 million potential athletes: these are figures that provide food for thought for the future”. The call of warning was issued by Carlo Mornati, secretary general of CONI and head of Team Italy’s mission at the Olympics. Where Italy was able to achieve astonishing results despite experiencing a birth crisis.
Fortunately, in fact, more and more green wonders in Italy are developing: sprinter Kelly Doualla at the age of 15 sparked
very surprised by his steps. Then there is swimmer Alessandra Mao who at the age of 14 is already the second fastest Italian in the 200 freestyle. At the age of 14, Danilo Faso already leads the Italian table tennis rankings.
