Hi, I'm actually not interested in doing gymnastics. I love watching it and I think it's an amazing sport! I was just wondering if say you start at 12/13 you can make it elite? Not olympics, but level 9-10. Thanks!

well elite is much much higher than level 9-10. While some skills remain the same, the routines become much more demanding as well as the commitment. Generally the point of going elite is to compete in international competitions. But anyway, I would say its pretty unheard of for someone who started at age 12 to go elite in this day and age. The oldest starting successful elite I have heard of in this era is Alicia Sacramone who started at 9. As for level 9 or 10, that would be a much more manageable goal but still be really unlikey for someone starting from scratch (especially if they wanted to hit level 9 by the time they turned 18). Its a very demanding sport physically and mentally. In order to get to the high levels you need not just the right gymnast, but the right coaches, facilities and the right family support (including money but also commitment on the parents part) in order to make it happen. I don't think it would be impossible to make level 9 starting at 12 particularly if the girl had some other athletic or dance background but it would not be easy.

Tha's quite sad for a young girl who wishes to start gymnastics, knowing that she can't probably make those levels. Daiane dos santos started at 11 I think, and I know of a girl who started at 12 with gymnastics, but you are right. It is hard! I mean, I don't do gym so iw ouldn't know, but I can't imagine!

I'm probably the exception. I am a rhythmic gymnast (different to your question I know) who started at 12 and will be going into junior elite next year. This is pretty rare though.

^ wow, I would honestly same that might be even more rare because the flexibility needed to do rhythmic gymnastics is much much more than artistic gymnastics.

As for Diane Dos Santos, I think its important to note that she is from Brazil, a country not known for gymnastics. This would have given her much more opportunity to catch up. She also obviously had an extreme natural talent and is very strong and powerful (though I hope one day she control those landings). But if she was in the US, where 12 year olds win the junior elite gymnastics championships and thousands of girls are fighting for those spots, she probably wouldn't have been given the time of day to develop her talent. What is becoming exciting in the US is that some gymnasts such as Vanessa Zamarippa and Anna Li have decided to give elite gymnastics a try during or after college when for women going to college was usually the end of elite aspirations with few notable exceptions (someone in 2004 did this too but I forget who right now).

I also beileve there was a girl in the USA who started at 12 and went elite. But just one. I saw a girl online ask this and I was curious.

it could be, I honestly don't know. It was likely some time ago when gymnastics wasn't as grueling as it is now. Skills have gotten much much more difficult and will now continue to be with the ending of the 10.0 and introduction of unlimited scoring.

I also have to point out though that there is a difference in making elite and being on the national team. You can still be elite and go to domestic elite invitationals but not get international assignments. How it works to make elite is you have to go special meets called elite qualifiers. At that meet you need to earn a minimum score. If you make that minimum score you are elite and can basically call yourself elite for life unless you go back to competing Level 10 (the minimum score is higher if you are over 16 and a bit lower if you are under 16). However, if at the elite qualifier you make an even higher score threshold then you get to compete at the US Classic competition in early July. Again, if you earn a certain score at that competition then you get invited to the national championships. Now at the end of the national championships, the national team coordinator and committee gets to hand pick who they want to be on the national team. You don't need a certain score, its based more on impression and where you could be useful in helping Team USA. There are two national teams- Junior Age 12-15 and Senior age 16+ (currently Alicia Sacramone is the oldest at 22).