Alanna Laecca, 16 years old gymnast placed first on the balance beam at the USA gymnastics level 9 Eastern National Championships in Kissimmee, Floriday in May. [quote]It also doesn't hurt having a dedicated athlete like Laecca to help showcase the gym. Laecca has been training at Revolution for three years and didn't get involved with gymnastics until she was 11 years old. "She's a unique gymnast in that she started late," Bakalar said. "She's made a lot of progress and worked very hard."[/quote] "Gymnasts train for success (The Greater New Milford Spectrum)" - http://www.gymchat.com/messageboards/viewtopic.php?t=1154

I honestly think it is never too late. Plenty of people start gymnastics in their late teens or twenties and move onto have a very high skill level and compete successfully. I know of people who have started learning gymnastics as late as their 50's and still managing to learn skills like back handsprings. In trampolining here in Australia they have an over 30's section and there are people competing in their 50's and 60's. If we are talking how late is too late if you want to compete internationally then I'll agree that 89 is too old. But Elite gymnastics has changed aswell 10 years ago all the international competitors were teenagers and it was rare to see many competing after their early 20's. If you want to reach international standards by the age of 15 then yes, you have to start serious training much earlier. But nowadays this is changing, many international gymnasts are competing well into their late twenties and early 30's so you can start a bit later and still succeed.