Olympic women's gymnastics

The landscape of women's gymnastics is evolving, as evidenced by the recent success of older athletes like Simone Biles, who at 27, is the oldest all-around Olympic champion in 72 years. Since the late 1990s, the International Gymnastics Federation has raised the minimum age for competition to protect athletes' health, allowing gymnasts to pursue longer careers. This change has led to a new era where athletes can harness their strength and skill, as seen by the impressive performances of Biles and her teammates at the Paris Olympics, where they collectively earned 12 medals. The importance of mental health has also been emphasized within USA Gymnastics following the fallout from the Larry Nassar scandal, with a focus on creating a supportive environment for athletes. The shift from a focus on young, small gymnasts to older, stronger athletes represents a significant cultural change in the sport. As a result, gymnasts are now recognized for their hard-earned achievements rather than merely their youthful appearances.