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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

That watching the Olympics makes me feel so old!

19 replies

emilylily · 05/08/2021 11:26

I'm in my early 30s and just feel ancient watching the Olympics. Everyone is under 30 or 'veterans/soon-to-retire' if they're older. I've never had any sporting ambitions so I'm not regretting a missed opportunity but I miss being in my prime and just hate feeling so old!

OP posts:
BuffySummersReportingforSanity · 05/08/2021 11:32

That's just how professional sports is. Being highly ranked against intense competition means the kind of physical peak which is really only possible under 40 - under 30 in some sports. It's no picnic either. Many pro sportspeople find themselves washed up professionally and lost in their 30s with knackered bodies and no idea what to do next.

Why would you use the - in many ways - very weird world of pro sports as your yardstick? Tons of people continue to be very highly performing in sports into their 40s, 50s and beyond, they're just not going to have the elite knife-edge physical capability of the very young.

Hobnobsandbroomstick · 05/08/2021 11:34

They retire early because there's only so long they can put that amount of serious stress on their body.

Early 30s is not old. But you're the youngest you'll ever be right now. Ageing is inevitable and going to happen no matter what, so you might as well make the most of it.

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 05/08/2021 11:36

The bit that makes me feel old is remembering leaving baby DDwith grandparents to go to London 2012 pregnant with DD2... and they are now 10 and 8... and there's been an Olympics in between.

They want to go to Paris games.

TheMarzipanDildo · 05/08/2021 11:38

Watch the horse events!

JaninaDuszejko · 05/08/2021 11:48

I was teasing my 12 and 13 yo that they were underachieving and had done nothing with their lives yet after watching Sky Brown in the skateboarding. I did get all the eye rolling Grin.

But seriously, watching sport is definitely the first thing that makes you realise that you might be too old to excel at some things and that those avenues will never be open to you again. Usually happens at about 16-18 when you start seeing people your own age becoming dominant in a sport you watch so you've done well to get to your 30s. Elite sport is not a long term pursuit though and there are plenty other things that you still have time to do. The average age of Nobel prize winners is in their 60s, based on work that is usually published in their 40s. Lots of famous authors were older than you when they published their first novel.

Original poster
emilylily · 05/08/2021 11:57

@BuffySummersReportingforSanity

That's just how professional sports is. Being highly ranked against intense competition means the kind of physical peak which is really only possible under 40 - under 30 in some sports. It's no picnic either. Many pro sportspeople find themselves washed up professionally and lost in their 30s with knackered bodies and no idea what to do next.

Why would you use the - in many ways - very weird world of pro sports as your yardstick? Tons of people continue to be very highly performing in sports into their 40s, 50s and beyond, they're just not going to have the elite knife-edge physical capability of the very young.

Oh no, I understand that. I think it's just the idea that they're in peak physical fitness, have their whole lives ahead of them etc. and I feel a bit past it!
OP posts:
Original poster
emilylily · 05/08/2021 11:58

@Hobnobsandbroomstick

They retire early because there's only so long they can put that amount of serious stress on their body.

Early 30s is not old. But you're the youngest you'll ever be right now. Ageing is inevitable and going to happen no matter what, so you might as well make the most of it.

Yeah, that makes sense and thanks, that's a helpful way to reframe things.
OP posts:
Original poster
emilylily · 05/08/2021 11:59

@Aroundtheworldin80moves

The bit that makes me feel old is remembering leaving baby DDwith grandparents to go to London 2012 pregnant with DD2... and they are now 10 and 8... and there's been an Olympics in between.

They want to go to Paris games.

Aww, hope you get to the Paris games!
OP posts:
Original poster
emilylily · 05/08/2021 11:59

@TheMarzipanDildo

Watch the horse events!
Oh yeah, that's maybe the exception that proves the rule!
OP posts:
ancientgran · 05/08/2021 12:01

Well I remember the last time the Olympics were in Tokyo so I'm proper past it. You're still a youngster.

Original poster
emilylily · 05/08/2021 12:01

@JaninaDuszejko

I was teasing my 12 and 13 yo that they were underachieving and had done nothing with their lives yet after watching Sky Brown in the skateboarding. I did get all the eye rolling Grin.

But seriously, watching sport is definitely the first thing that makes you realise that you might be too old to excel at some things and that those avenues will never be open to you again. Usually happens at about 16-18 when you start seeing people your own age becoming dominant in a sport you watch so you've done well to get to your 30s. Elite sport is not a long term pursuit though and there are plenty other things that you still have time to do. The average age of Nobel prize winners is in their 60s, based on work that is usually published in their 40s. Lots of famous authors were older than you when they published their first novel.

Haha aw.

True, I'm not sure I'm going to be winning a Nobel Prize or writing a bestseller any time soon. I think my issue is not so much about being brilliantly successful (although that would be great!), it's about feeling young, healthy and having a long life ahead!

OP posts:
AdoptedBumpkin · 05/08/2021 12:02

I know how you feel. Feels strange knowing I'd be veteran if I were an athlete.

In some ways actors/musicians are better off as they can usually perform into old age, if they live long enough.

Original poster
emilylily · 05/08/2021 12:02

@ancientgran

Well I remember the last time the Olympics were in Tokyo so I'm proper past it. You're still a youngster.
Aw thanks :)
OP posts:
Original poster
emilylily · 05/08/2021 12:04

@AdoptedBumpkin

I know how you feel. Feels strange knowing I'd be veteran if I were an athlete.

In some ways actors/musicians are better off as they can usually perform into old age, if they live long enough.

Yeah that's true!
OP posts:
AdoptedBumpkin · 05/08/2021 12:08

Come to think of it, some of the gymnasts retire in their early 20s and then might have another 60 or 70 years to live. Weird.

MiaMarshmallows · 05/08/2021 12:13

One of my relatives is 35 and felt the same when a 16 Yr old won the gymnastics Olympics. She said "I'm old enough to be her mum, that is just terrifying.'
Think how I feel in my fifties....

JudgeJ · 05/08/2021 20:54

@ancientgran

Well I remember the last time the Olympics were in Tokyo so I'm proper past it. You're still a youngster.
I see your Tokyo and raise you Melbourne as the first games I can remember, back when the world was in black and white! I can also recall watching Pot Black, the snooker matches, in black and white, my dear Dad could distinguish all the colours by their shades of grey.
EastWestWhosBest · 05/08/2021 20:56

I’ve gone from imagining that I was the gold medal winner to imagining I was their mum.

NiceGerbil · 05/08/2021 20:57

You're young OP! I'm nearly 50 Grin

Early 30s IS prime of life.

And I'm loving my 40s!

Stop comparing yourself to the pinnacle of human athleticism and enjoy the spectacle Smile

Also, maybe try getting into the snooker Grin

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