In China today, gymnasts do not enter training programs by choice. Rather, they are chosen by the state, removed from their families, and transported to China's main gymnastics training facility in Beijing. Children are chosen early, well before the age of five, based on certain physical characteristics and abilities - tumbling, flexibility, fearlessness, et cetera. If a child displays these characteristics, they are removed from their homes and the care of their parents. This removal is mandatory and not open for debate. Bear in mind, of course, that in China, married couples are legally limited to only having one child, so when that child is removed, their entire family has been ripped apart.

After these children are taken, they rarely ever see or speak to their families again throughout the duration of their training. Any form of contact with their families is held in front of these children as a reward for good behavior. These rewards rarely come, as the vast majority have no contact with their families at all until they start winning major competitions. They essentially become orphans, their parents replaced by coaches.

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