A couple of thoughts before we all forget the Olympics happened. During coverage of the women’s gymnastics competition, the commentators mentioned that the Chinese gymnasts start training intensely at age 3, while the Americans don’t typically spend that amount of time in the gym until age 10.

How well did that work out? Well, the American women were in position to win the team competition until Alicia Sacramone’s stumbles on the beam and floor, allowing the Chinese to take the title. I’m sure some people will beg to differ, but I’m not sure that those seven years per athelete were necessary or even consequential in this competition.