My friend's child and my child have been attending the same swimming classes for years since they were about 4/5. It was to give them some basic life skills and so they can spend time together (they go to different schools). The kids are now 8 and a few months back her child progressed to the next more advanced stage and mine was left in the current swim group. They recently introduced swimming galas in our local swimming pool but only kids from her childs group and older are allowed to compete. Yesterday, my friend made a weird comment that one cannot become a competitive swimmer if at the age of 9 they are still not swimming full length /not competing and asked if I had considered any other sports for my child.
AIBU to think you can still improve and catch up at this age in sports with the right coaching and even if not, these expectations are not healthy for children ?