i don't know about drugs, but the physical routines that the girls have to do to stay in shape actually keep their bodies from maturing because it puts such a strain on them.

They do not take drugs of any kind. Drugs are illegal in sport and that includes gymnastics. Gymnasts are regularly tested for drung use as are any other high level athletes and they would be thrown out of competition if they were found to be taking drugs. Most gymnasts are genetically small, they would be tiny whether or not they take gymnastics. Their body size makes it easier for them, tere are many taller and larger gymnasts but most drop out of the sport before reaching the level of international competiton because it is much harder for them. Just as taller people often excel at basketball, smaller girls often excell at gymnastics. High levels of participation in ANY sport will delay puberty. High level gymnasts train between 25-40 hours a week from the time they are around 8-10 years of age, so it does cause a delay in puberty. This would be the same for any young athlete training this many hours in any sport. In fact any high activity levels will cause a person to have a shorter stature. Have you noticed that kids are much taller now than they were in the olden days. This is because they eat more and are less active, in the olden days kids were more active and burned up more of their calories from activity and therefore had less for growing. Hyperactive children end up slightly shorter in stature for the same reason as do elite level athletes. But when you think about it the benefits of participation in a sport that can build your strength, flexibility, balance, confidence, self esteem and many other things is worth a few less inches in height.