Yu’s participation on the World Championships has divided opinion.
Rivals within the championships have to be at the very least 14 years of age however Yu was permitted entry as a result of her instances met the affiliation’s ‘A’ normal.
However, whereas Yu’s potential isn’t in query, not everyone seems to be satisfied she ought to be allowed to compete on the worldwide stage but.
The subject was mentioned on BBC Radio 5 Dwell with four-time world champion swimmer Karen Pickering and Olympic bronze medallist Steve Parry providing differing opinions.
“To see a teenager go within the occasions she is doing is on the one hand astonishing, however it does barely increase the query of how lengthy has she been coaching arduous?” stated Pickering.
“What sort of coaching is she doing? What’s that doing to her bodily?
“I fear about what it is doing bodily to a toddler doing that quantity of coaching at that age. We have seen it with gymnasts which can be pushed too younger and the impression it has on their physique long-term.”
Parry, although, stated Yu’s participation was “optimistic” and had echoes of Sharron Davies, who represented Nice Britain on the 1976 Olympics on the age of 13.
“It is a younger lady who’s 12 years of age and it is proper we’re asking questions, however I acquired spanked by a 15-year-old Michael Phelps in Sydney and he went on to be the best swimmer we have ever seen,” stated Parry.
“You may have kids, whether or not it’s Sharron Davies, Yu or Katie Ledecky, however we’ve acquired to deal with their psychological well being and ensure they are not being pushed an excessive amount of bodily.
“These younger proteges ought to be celebrated.”
