Is 16 Still Sweet?

So, conventional logic often says that the ideal age for a female gymnast to be in the Olympic year is 16, but how true is that, really? Turning 16 in the Olympic year may be advantageous for that rare top AA prospect, but being 16 in the Olympic year may not be ideal for a female gymnast aspiring to make an Olympic team, in general. On the US side, in particular, these young juniors have more of an uphill climb to be seriously considered for the Oly team than older, senior veterans because they have shorter resumes and less, if any, senior experience. For many of the Olympic year “Sweet 16’s,” age has shut them out of opportunities that they would have been able to vie for, had they been older, and as long as the veterans remain consistent and competitive in international competition, there’s less of an incentive for TPTB to gamble on less established or unproven talent when drafting an Olympic team. So, if not, 16, what is the ideal age for a female gymnast to be in the Olympic year and why :confused:?

Is 16 Still Sweet?