12-year-old Yu Zidi is the latest of swimming's many young star shoots. In Monday's final on 200 meters medley, she was six hundredths away from the bronze. American silver medalist Alex Walsh, 23 years old, says that Yu Zidi is "phenomenally talented for her young age".
But is she too young? According to the international swimming federation's rules, the minimum age to participate in the World Championship is 14 years. Everyone who is younger must have a dispensation to participate.
I did not think it was possible for a 12-year-old to achieve such a time, says association boss Brent Nowicki and refers to the times that gave Yu Zidi a dispensation to participate in the World Championship.
Hopefully, good things will come out of this (participation in the World Championship), he says and adds:
But we will look at whether we need to take further steps or if we are satisfied with where we are.
