Age influences the physical development of athletes. The peak of sports form is reached at the age of about 20 years, and after that there is a gradual decline. Nevertheless, there are examples of successful performances of both very young and very elderly athletes.
In the entire history of the Olympic Games, the youngest champion is the Frenchman Marcel Depayet. He won a gold medal for the Netherlands national team in 1900, coxing in a two-man rowing competition. The previous helmsman was too heavy, so he was replaced by a child. Its exact age is unknown, but, according to historians, it was 8-10 years old at that time.
Also worth mentioning is the Greek gymnast Dimitrios Lundras, who won the bronze medal in the uneven bars competition in 1896, at the age of 10 years and 218 days.
Among women, the youngest Olympic gold medalist is speed skater Kim Yun Mi from South Korea. She won the 1994 Short Track Relay with her team in Lillehammer.
There are currently clear age limits for participation in the Olympic Games, so these Olympic champions will remain the youngest in the history of the competition. For athletes between the ages of 14 and 18, the Youth Olympic Games are held separately, however, the winners of the junior competitions have the right to take part in the Olympics along with adult athletes.
There are different age limits for each Olympic sport. For example, handball players should not be younger than 18 years old, and gymnasts - 16 years old. In none of the sports does the age limit fall below 14 years old. At the 2012 Olympics in London, Lithuanian swimmer Ruta Meilutyte became the youngest champion. She won the 100-meter breaststroke victory at the age of 15 years and 133 days, setting a European record.
