BaseballDad, age eligiblility rules are tough wherever they are instituted. The 16 year old rule in women's gymnastics is an attempt to protect young athletes from abusive practices trying to keep girls prepubescent. 80 pound kids without hips or breasts can move through the air more easily than a fully-developed woman. Unfortunately, the attempts to produce champions have resulted in all sorts of abuses. Whatever the rule, there are people trying to figure out how to get around it.