World-beating figure skater Mao Asada will not skate for the Japanese team for the Winter Olympic Games because she is too young, the Japan Skating Federation said. International requirements say that a skater must turn 15 by July of an Olympics year to compete in the Olympics. Mao’s birthday was in September.

While I think that Mao Asada has clearly proven that she can compete on the international stage, I still think it’s a good thing that a minimum age has been instituted. I remember a few years when it seemed like the skaters (and gymnasts) were getting younger and younger. It was a little disturbing to see these children competing under so much stress.

So, what do you think? Should there be minimum age requirements for Olympic events? Take our poll!

The poll has been closed. The results were almost 50/50, with a small majority favoring minimum age requirements.