Yu Zidi, 12, turns into youngest medallist in World Aquatics Championships historical past

Yu’s participation on the World Championships has divided opinion.

Competitors within the championships have to be no less than 14 years of age however Yu was permitted entry as a result of her occasions met the affiliation’s ‘A’ normal.

But, whereas Yu’s means shouldn’t be in query, not everyone seems to be satisfied she needs to be allowed to compete on the worldwide stage but.

The subject was mentioned on BBC Radio 5 Live with four-time world champion swimmer Karen Pickering and Olympic bronze medallist Steve Parry providing differing opinions.

“To see a youngster go in the events she is doing is on the one hand astonishing, but it does slightly raise the question of how long has she been training hard?” mentioned Pickering.

“What kind of training is she doing? What is that doing to her physically?

“I fear about what it is doing bodily to a baby doing that quantity of coaching at that age. We’ve seen it with gymnasts which are pushed too younger and the affect it has on their physique long-term.”

Parry, although, mentioned Yu’s participation was “optimistic” and had echoes of Sharron Davies, who represented Great Britain at the 1976 Olympics at the age of 13.

“It’s a younger woman who’s 12 years of age and it is proper we’re asking questions, however I bought spanked by a 15-year-old Michael Phelps in Sydney and he went on to be the best swimmer we have ever seen,” mentioned Parry.

“You can have kids, whether or not or not it’s Sharron Davies, Yu or Katie Ledecky, however now we have bought to maintain their psychological well being and ensure they are not being pushed an excessive amount of bodily.

“These young proteges should be celebrated.”