AS SIXTEEN-year-old Queensland teenager Jessica Watson sailed out of Sydney Harbour yesterday in her attempt to become the youngest person to sail around the world solo, the sound of the wind in her sails must have been barely audible above the “tutt tutting” of her many critics.

“Too young”, seems to be the general verdict of everyone from the Prime Minister down, with the Acting Premier of Queensland Paul Lucas calling on Jessica to abandon her attempt altogether.

Jessica is embarking on a voyage that has brought older and more seasoned sailors to grief. Although many have questioned her experience and preparedness, the one thing that is not in question as she sails off alone is her courage.

At the other end of the specturm, Sydney this week hosted some remarkable athletes in the World Masters Games.

Competitors as old as 101 years of age lived up to the World Masters Games motto of “fit, fun and forever young”.

“Too old” is something that no one would dare suggest to competitors such as 99-year-old Margo Bates, a great-grandmother who won seven gold medals in swimming. Her motto: “Don't ever mention the word old to me unless it's got a ‘G’ in front of it.”

Both Jessica Watson and the competitors at the World Masters Games are defying the odds in their own way: Jessica by refusing to be deterred by her youth, the veteran athletes by refusing to be told that it’s time to stop.

If we applaud the old for continuing to test their endurance and abilities (and some would say common sense) can we deny the young the same opportunity?