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New Straits Times
19 minutes ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Too much too young? China's 12-year-old phenom Yu sparks wonder and concern
MELBOURNE: Beating a 12-year-old rival was once child's play for an elite swimmer but it has become an unlikely badge of honour when China's Yu Zidi is in the race. Only the very best in women's swimming were able to beat Yu at the world championships where the prodigy became the youngest medallist in the global meet's 52-year history. Yet even as the swimming world marvelled at Yu's talent, her age raised questions about the ethics of someone so young competing at the highest level. In a sport where the mental and physical toll can prove overwhelming for adults, Yu's success at the world championships was viewed dimly by some child protection advocates. "Twelve-years-old is incredibly young in swimming," author Linda Flanagan, a vocal opponent of children competing in elite sport, told Reuters. "A 12-year-old does not train like an 18 or 20-year-old because their bodies aren't equipped to handle the work involved. "And also emotionally, it's not in their best interest. "It flies in the face of what psychologists say about what's healthy for kids, which is not to put all your eggs in one basket, to spread your interests so you don't become this narrow person." Adolescents are hardly rare in swimming, particularly in women's competition where athletes tend to reach peak performance earlier than men. Dane Inge Sorensen was 12 when she won the 200 metres breaststroke bronze at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. She remains the youngest Games medallist in individual events. Sharron Davies swam for Britain at 11 and made her Olympic debut at the 1976 Montreal Games at 13. Far from being concerned about Yu's wellbeing, Davies said the Chinese wunderkind, who won a relay bronze and came fourth in three individual events on her world championships debut, would have found it a thrill. "It is a total misconception that that young girl would have been extremely nervous. It would have been the opposite," Davies told Reuters in an interview. "(When) I made that Olympic Games, I was just on cloud nine. "There was nothing for me to lose and everything to gain. And it would have been the same for her: she had nothing to lose and everything to gain." There was little sign of Yu being overawed as she recorded personal bests in the 200m and 400m individual medley (IM), and 200 butterfly. Her time of 4:33.76 in the 400 IM final would have taken the Paris Olympic bronze medal away from 23-year-old American Emma Weyant. Yu told Chinese media the Singapore meet was more intense than she had imagined but the atmosphere was great. "This relay bronze motivates me to keep working hard," Yu told Xinhua. "Right after the race, I talked to my family. I want to bring back the medal .... to share the joy with them." Yu's may be the last world swimming medal won by a 12-year-old pending a World Aquatics review. Although the global swimming body has a minimum age of 14 for Olympics and world championships, its by-laws allow younger swimmers with qualifying times to compete. Yu qualified at the national championships in May. World Aquatics executive director Brent Nowicki said the governing body would have to take a look at the age rule. "I didn't think I'd have this conversation, but now I think we have to go back and say, 'Is this appropriate?'" Nowicki told reporters in Singapore. "Do we need to do other things? Put other guard-rails up? Do we allow it under certain conditions? I don't know the answer." An International Olympic Committee (IOC) consensus statement on elite youth athletes published last year noted adolescent athletes are more susceptible to "musculoskeletal injuries" while the intense physical and mental demands of sport can bring "psychosocial strain" and mental health challenges. China's state broadcaster CCTV reported that Yu nearly quit swimming last year when she was 11 because she felt pressure before the national championships. "I was just overwhelmed with emotion and didn't want to train anymore," Yu said in comments published by the broadcaster in May. But "patient encouragement" from her coach and family helped her persevere. The Chinese Swimming Association and China's General Administration of Sport did not respond to requests from Reuters to interview Yu or her coaches, or for comment on the national swim team's safeguarding protocols for child athletes. Australia head coach Rohan Taylor said he would be cautious about selecting a 12-year-old for open competition at a major global meet – but would not rule it out. "I would go through a process to make sure everything was in place to support that athlete and that we felt we weren't putting any expectation or pressure," he told Reuters. "There's a lot of hurdles before we put (athletes) in that situation." Three years out from the Los Angeles Olympics, rivals and pundits see a big future for Yu. But predictions of super-stardom may not bear out, according to Michael Bergeron, co-author of the IOC's consensus statement on youth athletes and a sport science expert with the Women's Tennis Association. Citing IOC data, Bergeron said just over 30 per cent of under-18 athletes who competed at Olympics returned as adults. "Maybe she is going to be a superstar down the road but the ones that usually excel at a young age are rarely the ones to excel as an older adolescent, never mind as an adult," he said. - Reuters
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Swimming-Too much too young? China's 12-year-old phenom Yu sparks wonder and concern
By Ian Ransom Swimming-Too much too young? China's 12-year-old phenom Yu sparks wonder and concern MELBOURNE, - Beating a 12-year-old rival was once child's play for an elite swimmer but it has become an unlikely badge of honour when China's Yu Zidi is in the race. Only the very best in women's swimming were able to beat Yu at the world championships where the prodigy became the youngest medallist in the global meet's 52-year history. Yet even as the swimming world marvelled at Yu's talent, her age raised questions about the ethics of someone so young competing at the highest level. In a sport where the mental and physical toll can prove overwhelming for adults, Yu's success at the world championships was viewed dimly by some child protection advocates. "Twelve-years-old is incredibly young in swimming," author Linda Flanagan, a vocal opponent of children competing in elite sport, told Reuters. "A 12-year-old does not train like an 18 or 20-year-old because their bodies aren't equipped to handle the work involved. "And also emotionally, it's not in their best interest. "It flies in the face of what psychologists say about what's healthy for kids, which is not to put all your eggs in one basket, to spread your interests so you don't become this narrow person." Adolescents are hardly rare in swimming, particularly in women's competition where athletes tend to reach peak performance earlier than men. Dane Inge Sorensen was 12 when she won the 200 metres breaststroke bronze at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. She remains the youngest Games medallist in individual events. Sharron Davies swam for Britain at 11 and made her Olympic debut at the 1976 Montreal Games at 13. Far from being concerned about Yu's wellbeing, Davies said the Chinese wunderkind, who won a relay bronze and came fourth in three individual events on her world championships debut, would have found it a thrill. "It is a total misconception that that young girl would have been extremely nervous. It would have been the opposite," Davies told Reuters in an interview. " I made that Olympic Games, I was just on cloud nine. "There was nothing for me to lose and everything to gain. And it would have been the same for her: she had nothing to lose and everything to gain." MORE INTENSE There was little sign of Yu being overawed as she recorded personal bests in the 200m and 400m individual medley , and 200 butterfly. Her time of 4:33.76 in the 400 IM final would have taken the Paris Olympic bronze medal away from 23-year-old American Emma Weyant. Yu told Chinese media the Singapore meet was more intense than she had imagined but the atmosphere was great. "This relay bronze motivates me to keep working hard," Yu told Xinhua. "Right after the race, I talked to my family. I want to bring back the medal .... to share the joy with them." Yu's may be the last world swimming medal won by a 12-year-old pending a World Aquatics review. Although the global swimming body has a minimum age of 14 for Olympics and world championships, its by-laws allow younger swimmers with qualifying times to compete. Yu qualified at the national championships in May. World Aquatics Executive Director Brent Nowicki said the governing body would have to take a look at the age rule. "I didn't think I'd have this conversation, but now I think we have to go back and say, 'Is this appropriate?'" Nowicki told reporters in Singapore. "Do we need to do other things? Put other guard-rails up? Do we allow it under certain conditions? I don't know the answer." An International Olympic Committee consensus statement on elite youth athletes published last year noted adolescent athletes are more susceptible to "musculoskeletal injuries" while the intense physical and mental demands of sport can bring "psychosocial strain" and mental health challenges. China's state broadcaster CCTV reported that Yu nearly quit swimming last year when she was 11 because she felt pressure before the national championships. "I was just overwhelmed with emotion and didn't want to train anymore," Yu said in comments published by the broadcaster in May. But "patient encouragement" from her coach and family helped her persevere. The Chinese Swimming Association and China's General Administration of Sport did not respond to requests from Reuters to interview Yu or her coaches, or for comment on the national swim team's safeguarding protocols for child athletes. Australia head coach Rohan Taylor said he would be cautious about selecting a 12-year-old for open competition at a major global meet but would not rule it out. "I would go through a process to make sure everything was in place to support that athlete and that we felt we weren't putting any expectation or pressure," he told Reuters. "There's a lot of hurdles before we put in that situation." Three years out from the Los Angeles Olympics, rivals and pundits see a big future for Yu. But predictions of super-stardom may not bear out, according to Michael Bergeron, co-author of the IOC's consensus statement on youth athletes and a sport science expert with the Women's Tennis Association. Citing IOC data, Bergeron said just over 30% of under-18 athletes who competed at Olympics returned as adults. "Maybe she is going to be a superstar down the road but the ones that usually excel at a young age are rarely the ones to excel as an older adolescent, never mind as an adult," he said. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
The Star
an hour ago
- Business
- The Star
Brunei's huge Muara Port expansion project to be completed by 2027
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (Xinhua): The expansion project of Brunei's Muara Port container terminal is progressing steadily and is expected to be completed as scheduled by the end of 2027, the Muara Port Company (MPC) has announced. According to the MPC, a China-Brunei joint venture established in 2017, the land reclamation and foundation work for the new terminal have progressed smoothly since its launch in August 2024. Muara Port, Brunei's only public deep-water port currently managed and operated by the MPC, is one of the flagship projects under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). At the construction site on Friday, the emerging new coastline in the reclamation area is clearly visible, with various heavy machinery operating in an orderly fashion. According to the MPC, the project will extend existing terminal facilities by over 300 meters, enabling Muara Port to accommodate 50,000-tonne container vessels upon completion. The MPC told Xinhua that the project will expand container berths and upgrade existing container and multipurpose terminals, which will significantly enhance the port's handling capacity and better serve Brunei's economic development and bilateral cooperation under the BRI. Brunei is a South-East Asian country with rich oil and gas resources. In 2024, Muara Port handled over 1.9 million tonnes of container cargo. - Xinhua
The Star
2 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
LMC-funded solar power supply project completed in Myanmar's Ayeyarwady region
YANGON (Xinhua): A ceremony to mark the completion of a solar mini-grid electricity supply and water supply distribution system project funded by the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Special Fund (2023) was held in Dedaye township of Ayeyarwady region, Myanmar, on Sunday. The ceremony was attended by Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar Ma Jia, Myanmar's Union Minister for Cooperatives and Rural Development U Hla Moe, Ayeyarwady Region Chief Minister U Tin Maung Win, and nearly 300 government officials and village representatives. Speaking at the event, Ma said that Lancang-Mekong Cooperation has grown step by step and become one of the most dynamic regional cooperation mechanisms. The solar mini-grid electricity project in Kan Seik village of Dedaye township, a "small but beautiful" livelihood project, addresses the most urgent and pressing needs of the people, she said. "It is not only a concrete implementation of Lancang-Mekong Cooperation's 'people-oriented' philosophy, but also a manifestation of the 'Paukphaw' friendship between China and Myanmar." Myanmar's officials expressed gratitude for China's support, saying that the project has helped 750 farmers solve their electricity and water problems and promoted industrial development. Village representatives said they had never dreamed they would have access to electricity and clean water, and sincerely thanked the Chinese government for its assistance. - Xinhua
Hans India
3 hours ago
- Health
- Hans India
Israel reports 93 new measles cases, total at 410
Jerusalem: The Israeli Health Ministry reported 93 new diagnosed cases of measles, bringing the total in the current outbreak, which began in early April, to 410. The ministry on Sunday estimated that, due to the high hospitalisation rate and community reports, the number of infected people in the current outbreak in Israel ranges from 950 to 1,700. According to the ministry, the number of active diagnosed patients has increased from 120 to 162, including 22 currently hospitalised. Two of the hospitalised patients, a one-year-old baby and a toddler nearly two and a half years old, are currently receiving ECMO support in the intensive care unit. About a month after the outbreak, the ministry launched a nationwide vaccination completion campaign, and since then, more than 105,000 doses have been administered. Measles is an extremely contagious viral illness characterised by common symptoms, including fever, fatigue, runny nose, and a distinctive rash. In some cases, it can result in severe or potentially life-threatening complications. The ministry also reported a new case of West Nile fever in the southern city of Beer Sheva. This is the second confirmed case of the disease in Israel, following a diagnosis in central Israel in early June, Xinhua news agency reported. Measles infects the respiratory tract and then spreads throughout the body. Symptoms include a high fever, cough, runny nose and a rash all over the body. Being vaccinated is the best way to prevent getting sick with measles or spreading it to other people. The vaccine is safe and helps your body fight off the virus. Before the introduction of the measles vaccine in 1963 and widespread vaccination, major epidemics occurred approximately every two to three years and caused an estimated 2.6 million deaths each year. An estimated 107,500 people died from measles in 2023 -- mostly children under the age of five years, despite the availability of a safe and cost-effective vaccine.
