Experts see 'Olympics effect' on kids

(ANSA) - Rome, August 11 - Watching the ongoing Rio Olympics can inspire kids to discover a passion for sport and also find positive role models, pediatricians at Rome's Bambin Gesù Children's Hospital said Thursday.
    Bambin Gesù's Chief of Sports Medicine Attilio Turchetta calls it "the Olympic effect".
    "Watching them on TV can become a wonderful occasion to discover sports in their most entertaining and spectacular aspects, and a way to choose new activities".
    However not all disciplines are good for all age groups, he cautioned.
    "Up until 7-8 years of age, children must learn to move their bodies in space," he said. "After that you can bring in the ball or tools, such as in fencing".
    Rio 2016 can also be an opportunity for parents to talk to kids about "the value of constancy and determination (...) in sports as in life, as well as the importance of knowing how to accept defeat," he said.
    "Many athletes can become positive role models in this sense," the doctor concluded.