The governing body of world gymnastics has demanded additional documentary
evidence to prove that five gold medal-winning China gymnasts were old
enough to compete in the Olympic Games.
The Chinese Gymnastics Association has been asked to supply further evidence
to prove the birthdates of Jiang Yuyuan, Li Shanshan, Deng Linlin, Yang
Yilin and He Kexin, after more questions emerged over the stated ages of He
and Yang.
The five competitors won gold medals in the team gymnastics event, while He
became the darling of the host nation after she won gold on the uneven bars
and Yang picked up two bronze medals in individual events.
A US computer expert told The Times on Thursday that he had uncovered Chinese
government documents proving that He and Yang were only 14. Both appeared to
have been registered as two years younger in previous years.
The online documents were the latest pieces of evidence to have emerged in
recent months suggesting that the two athletes were two years beneath the
minimum age of 16, in a sport where younger gymnasts are thought to have an
advantage, being more flexible and thus better able to perform more
difficult routines.
In a statement issued last night, the International Gymnastics Federation said
that it was demanding additional evidence from the Chinese association “to
resolve this issue once and for all”.
The federation did not specify precisely what documents it would require to
satisfy itself that the two gymnasts were eligible. However, Lu Shanzan,
China's coach, said that the documents that had now been passed to the
federation included He's present and former passport, her ID card and family
residence permit.
Lu said that all of these documents showed her to have been born in 1992 and
complained that coaching staff and the girl's parents were indignant and
upset at the investigation. “Surely it's not possible that these documents
are still not sufficient proof of her birthdate,” he said. “The passports
were issued by the Chinese Foreign Ministry. The identity card was issued by
China's Ministry of Public Security. If these valid documents are not enough
to clarify this problem, then what will you believe?”
The investigation has not been reported in the state newspapers. Leading
Chinese news websites also failed to cover the story, and yesterday sites
running reports of the inquiry appeared to have been closed down. Even the
debates of the issue in internet chatrooms, which raged yesterday morning,
disappeared in the afternoon as site-hosting companies moved to censor what
could be a sensitive topic.
Some web commentators blamed the Americans for the inquiry and called for a
retaliatory investigation of Michael Phelps, the US swimmer, who won eight
gold medals at the Water Cube. Others were not surprised by the controversy.
One wrote: “They will certainly now say that reports that she was 13 in 2007
were incorrect - so that she keeps her gold medal” - an apparent reference
to a theory that He might previously have registered as younger than she
was, in order to compete in a Chinese competition.
“Plank of Wood” commented: “Changing one's age in China, especially in the
past, is very common. When I was at school I changed my age to get into the
class I wanted. Later I changed it back.” All of these comments had vanished
from the web by the afternoon.
The latter point was repeated by a former Chinese sportsman yesterday. He told
The Times that in his youth he had once changed his age to participate in
competition with younger players. “It used to be very common, but it is
getting less and less so,” he said.
How would you strip athlete of a medal?
Under statute of limitations rules, the IOC and other sports bodies can go
back eight years to request the return of medals and nullify competition
results. This means that even if the He Kexin case becomes a protracted
affair, as is likely, the Committee has until 2016 to decide if it wishes to
act on the findings of the investigation by the Fédération Internationale de
Gymnastique.
However, once a decision has been reached, action is usually swift. When last
year Marion Jones, the American five-time 2000 Olympic champion, admitted
using steroids, she was officially stripped of her medals within weeks.
Given that the IOC is based in Lausanne, on the banks of Lake Geneva in
Switzerland, the usual method of return once the Games have ended is by
postal courier. Two athletes have handed their medals straight back in
Beijing - Ara Abrahamian, the bronze-medal winning Greco-Roman wrestler from
Sweden, and Jong Su Kim, the North Korean shooter who won bronze and silver.
After disqualification, standings are normally readjusted, with the
second-place finisher moving up to gold, third to silver and fourth to
bronze.
China would love to control the world with it's censorship. The people have a long hard battle until they get freedom...
Les Copeland, Los Angeles, USA
Nobody talks about Ivana Hong, who is on the US National Team. She sure looks young like the chinese team. I not sure of her nationality, but she sure looks young and was born in 1992. Get over Americans, Asian doesnt age as fast and thats a fact.
Andrew Le, Oklahoma, USA
fake age is better than american deceiving us of massive weapon in iraq
allen, sydney,
A winner look for way of success ,A loser look for excuse of losing .
Wang haihuan, Guang zhou, China
well I think He might look a bit young but I still felt she was the best on that day. people should talk about the situation(which I don't support at all) not talk about the country, especially not "all Chinese people...."
Amy, Rotorua, New Zealand
other than the issue of greater flexibility, another reason for the ban was training kids so hard at such a young age was bad for their social, emotional, and, at times, physical development. i have nothing against He or the Chinese team, but if this case is allowed to slide, there will be many more
Cos, Melbourne, Australia
There were questions about He's age before the competition even began. That is hardly a question of sore losing. The fact that the IOC finally considers it worth looking into after it's all over suggests to me that they were just afraid to challenge the host country before the games.
Ian, Miami, FL, USA
Looks can be deceiving. Anyway it cannot be denied that an American girl at 16 do look well built and matured while a Chinese girl at 16 will look less matured and most likely less developed. The bone mass would be different too. Sometimes size is to your advantage sometimes not.
260808
Lim, Johor Bahru, Malaysia
china broke the rules you can spin any way you like it will not change the facts
jonathan, norfolk, usa
china broke the rules. you can spin it anyway you like, it still want change the facts. also being younger gives them an advantage over the older kids and countries who played by the rules. all of you people who are defending the chinese most not have wanted a chance a gold anyway.
jonathan, Elizabeth City, usa
The Canadian Gymastics Floors champ was only 14 and therefore was not selected to the Canadian Olympic team. This is because Canada follows the rules. The USA does not have an inquiry into this, rather the Olympic Commitee does, this is their jurisdiction and their responsibility to enforce rules.
phil, NH, USA
i just think that americans are such sore losers!!! (to some extent a it racist).I do think that He Kexin look too young to be 16 but a lot of my asian friends look really young, so I believe shes innocent unless proven guilty.
Kaley , Auckland, New Zealand
Human beings have many ages
1) Real age - date of birth
2) Physical age - appearance - either looks younger or older than the real age
3) Performance age - stronger or weaker than the real age
4) Mental age - thinks like an adult or a child at the real age.
USA - sore losers, be real
260808
Lim, Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Suppose the winner is Liukin, you would say nothing. As a Chinese I want to tell you when your athletes entered the stadium, all of us applauded to them and speaked out "JIA YOU Meiguo". I don't know if you guys know what it stands for. I hope you can come to my country to see what is real China.
Sherman, Shanghai, China
Just look at HeKeXin she certainly does not look 16, more like 13-14. A number of my Chinese friends have told me that many young Chinese athletes change the dates on their passport as there is so much competition for places in China The Chinese government will never admit it as they would lose face
James, London, UK
Americans remind me a proverb ,A winner look for way of success ,A loser look for excuse of losing .
bravus, ANYANG HENAN, CHINA
As an American and proud of it, I deplore our athletes that couldn't play by the rules to win. Marion Jones and that contingent of cheaters DESERVED to be stripped of medals and embarrassed. Shouldn't this be the same? The Chinese were the best. I don't mind losing, but I would like it to be fair.
Kris, Minneapolis, MN, USA
Loser is loser.
If the US won the gold medals, no complains will be made.
Timothy, HKSAR,
check it, we're all saying very logical things, but very ignorant things. All in all, cheating is cheating. He, who won the gold medal, whether shes of age or not kicked ass during her run. She may or may have not been eligible, but she was the best. She deserves that gold medal.
L, san diego, usa
if the rules weren't put in place we wouldn't be having this debate. Rules are put in place for a reason. A cheater is a cheater not matter the nationality or the age. If she loses and the chinese lose the gold medal for team what's the issue. A cheat is a cheat
Debbe Weidman, Sherwood Park, Alberta
we see no enough evidence to prove He has falsified her age nor the "US computer expert " was telling the truth, why do you firmly believe the "US computer expert "? Or you just get used to the negative report on the chinese that you lose the ability to think before judge.
Jackie, Beijing,
It's great to see all these athletes competing, some come even with little chance of winning. More competitors lose than win, and they come from all countries. People are pretty much the same the world over, some good, some bad. Only the cultures differ.
Linda, Southampton, England
Some say He deserves to keep her medal because she was the best....if her ages was falsified the medal should be returned. What about all the 14 year old gymnasts around the world who were unable to compete with He because they followed the rules?
Karlene, Oakwood Hills,
You've all got to be kidding me! The British were the main party accusing Lance Armstrong of cheating when he won the 7 Tour de France titles. Now the majority of them are calling us jealous when there's more evidence backing us? Wow.
Erik, Richmond, Virginia
Certainly we Americans are poor losers. It's just who we are. We overreact, get outraged, and indignant because we always have to be right? Your just hearing from the part of our population who are deeply emotionally involved in the olympics. Stay away from the stereotypes they hurt. :D
Scott Fox, Seattle, USA
If you read Chinese websites, these young girls appeared in a documentmentary shot in 2003. That alone is enough to clear people's doubt about their age. Americans rely too much on US medias which in the eyes of the world are very biased.
Please rest your case. Chinese won.
vicky, usa,
Katherine from Richmond is correct. Abrahmian was still upset about a bad call in the semifinals and almost refused to even come back to wrestle in the repêchage. He did come back and won his bronze-medal bout, but proved still not under control by the time of the award ceremony.
J Andrew, Chattanooga, USA
I`m afraid that many of these posts, purporting to be individuals defending the indefensible, will only be a certain government trying to cloud the issue.
andrew, London, UK
As China has now ADMITTED to a confusion over her age in the records, He Kexin should have an independent medical to confirm her true age. ( using dental and pelvic x rays)
This is the only way to be fully transparent and open about how this 'mistake' happened and which records are correct.
Alison, Christchurch, NZ
Regarding Michael Phelps, a protest was already filed about the race that he won by 1/100 of a second. The coaches for the second place swimmer went over the footage with the officials and dropped the protest. As for him doping, he's one of the athletes who _volunteered_ for additional testing.
Patti, Los Angeles, CA, USA
The other giral Jiang Yuyuan is also accused of underage. She participated in the 2007 World Gymnastic Championship as approved by FIG. US did not lodge any compliant then. WHY? US got the GOLD. Let us be more tolerant and wait for the official verdict. Marion Jones took seven years.
SP, Alexander,
I think that is an interesting question. Should China, if found guilty of blatantly falsifying the personal information of its athletes be banned from the next Olympics? I think not, but it should be a world-wide warning that the next nation to do so WILL be banned from the next games.
De Courtenay, Loveland, CO, USA
This goes beyond a single gymnast - if the gymnast is found to be underage - it throws into question the entire Chinese government since they are complicit in supplying false documentation. If it is the case maybe the Chinese as a whole should be banned for the next Olympics ?
Ray, toronto, Canada
It would be a pity to strip the medal from He - whether she is 14 or 16 - she is the best.
C Di, Port Angeles,
Why bother trying to censoring the Web, as if that's possible? It's not like no one in China is aware of the controversy. Everybody knows about it.
Taijiguy, Newington, USA
"China is a poor third-world country, with millions starving from lack of food, poor nutrition, and contaminated food"?Oh my god! Are you from Mars?Have you been to China?
ada, NY, USA
Ara Abrahamian did not lose his medal on banned substance use, he returned it (threw it, actually) after receiving it in the podium in protest in the offiiiating of a match he lost that relagated him to the bronse medal match.
He won the match, and threw the medal into the mat.
bon, manila,
Ara Abrahamian did not test positive for a banned substance. That's a pretty big mistake for this news organization.
joe, connecticut, usa
Ah....sorry but the US isn't the one doing the investigation, its the IOC, the governing body of the Games. Oh, I forget, we (US) get blamed for everything wrong in the world. China has such a wonderful record of human rights and being a moral compass. sheesh...
tom, louisville,
Look at the medal count.
Look where the people who are calling Americans' sore losers are from.
It is VERY obvious that THEY ARE THE SORE LOSERS.
Too funny!
Mary Catherine, Elmhurst, USA
I taught at a Chinese University. Most students were hard-working and honest. But, I caught some unabashedly cheating on mid-terms and finals. They never expressed their wrong-doing. BUT, they were angry at getting caught...and failing. In China, it may not be wrong to cheat, but LOSING FACE is hard
Bob, Somewhere, My Country
Of course, if the Chinese Government "creates" new documents for these athletes, they will look official. I am sure that they have to prove their age for those competitions too. But they can't claim to have one date of birth for three years, and then all of a sudden, have a new birthdate!
Susanna Ortiz, not bejing, not china
This smacks of typical Communist deceit. Those who have endured Communist oppression for decades are too familiar with gross communist government corruption. Falsifying documents in persuit of gold medals is NOT beneath countries like China. It's actually typical and quite expected.
John, NYC, usa
How can a aerial gymnast, diver, be allowed at 14 but on the floor its got to be 16.
Surely, one rule for all and no discrepancy. But don't allow the Americans to lose or it will all start again.
Phelps win the disputed race? Why were the under water cameras not shown to substantiate the decision
Jaxs, London, UK
Hey Elaine and Singapore-Basil,
if a country can replace a little girl singing because she is "not perfect" enough to be seen by the world...is it really a stretch to think they would not falsify passports and "official" ID to make other little girls the "right" age??
No excuses for CHEATING!!
KB, Hiram, USA
I work with a lot of school age children, and if those lovely Chinese girls are truly 16, then they have development issues, or there's something to the rumors about all the hormones in the American food chain.
MDC, Cleveland, USA
Follow up on George Elgin.
True, the Chinese are one year old at birth. But even at 25, they will manage to look 15 to Western eyes. What a baffling race!
ian cheese, london, uk
From what I have read and learned the Chinese start age at conception which as we all know adds about 9 months to their age. This may have already been posted.
Ed, Cleveland, USA
In the end, China is still ranked number 1 in the medals table
:D
strip it away from her then, break her heart, if you really want to.
Elaine, Cheam, Surrey
How on earth can "the Americans" be held responsible by simply insisting that all athletes be of the correct age? Surely they are, or they aren't? Seems like another excuse to take a shot at an easy target - the USA in this case.
John F, London,
US are a bunch of sore losers. I think the hacker in question made up the evidence. Since when has chinese info on the web becomes gospel ? The Americans cannot come to terms they are second class in gold medal count. Making more noise show they are "no class".
Basil, singapore,
I doubt the last reports of He's age were even correct. They might start faking the ages of contenders before they turn 10. She's prob 12 or so. Maybe we need to somehow change the sport and take out some of the exercises that favor light bodies and make it more skill oriented.
Claudia , Atlanta, usa
I understand how each side of the battle feels, But was her win a honorable one if she cheated to get it? I think not! I just feel sorry for her team mates that are of age if any of the girls are found to be too young, since they will all lose their medals. Cheaters never win!
Kristine, Portland, USA
To william gibbons, chengdu, china
What proof ? The Chinese authority stepped forward and admitted about the singing girl, the CGI fireworks, if they did not , the whole world would not know anything.
Sorry mate, you fail right there.
Lin, London, Great Britain.
The Chinese count your age differently. They counbt the year in progress not the completed. That mens a Chinese is one year old on the day of his birth. So if the Chinese say He Xemin is 16 they mean, by Chinese reckoning, in the 16th year of her life i.e to us she would be 15 years old.
George, Elgin,
To people bringing up American cheaters, are you forgetting they were stripped of their medals after an investigation? Shouldn't the Chinese the subject to the same rules?
Blake, San Diego, USA
2004, the year that the Greek contingent got the most olympic medals in recent history.
2008, the year that China is getting medal after medal after medal...
Keep the host country happy and let them run the show, never mind olympic ideals and all that rubbish. The IOC knows what's good for them!
Alex, Patra, Greece
Reading all these US comments makes me feel sorry for them. Everyone saw they were 2nd best. Bad losers comes to mind. As for cheats, how come there's no mention of Marion Jones, Kelli White, Jerome Young etc etc......
Why can't you Americans accept you lost ! We have !
Christine, London, GB
cheating is unacceptable. i would never tolerate it. shame on the chinese gymnastics!
x, Nowhere, Land
The new age limit is silly, but rules are rules, and everyone should be ashamed for making this little girl a pawn. Why didn't they deal with this BEFORE the pain and stress of the competition? Not the 1st time ages have been faked. Yang Yun, Olga Bicherova, Daniele Silivas, Kim Gwang Suk...
Mac, NY, NY
Would a government willing to risk a global pandemic of SARS just to protect its own image go so far as to change a date on a passport?
mike, taipei, TW
i agree with paul from shanghai that proof is needed but how can one trust a passport from the chinese government or her ID card these are given by the government and nobody can trust them after all the fake issues surrounding the opening ceremony which they neveradmitted to until proof given
william gibbons, chengdu, china
Just take her dental x-rays and hand & wrist x-rays, and it will give them a proof of her age.
Vivek, London, UK
If they are of the proper age, then why worry about an investigation based on suspicions arising from obvious physical differences? After all, the IOC tests for genders based on nothing more than physical appearances.
Brian Ragle, Acworth, USA
Expecting truthful documents from a country that censors its media and tells its citizens what they can talk about is a pipe dream. "WAR IS PEACE. FREEDOM IS SLAVERY. IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH. HE KEXIN IS 16 YEARS OLD." That's all you need to know, Mr. Orwell. Welcome to Beijing!
arlecchino, South Carolina, USA
even though karolyi and other people raised doubts about the age of the gymnasts before the games, the official complaint was only issued after China won gold. Furthermore, I don't think that there is a huge flexibility difference between early teen years and 16.
James, New York, US
The country involved is irrelevant. Breaking the rules IS CHEATING. They should suffer the same penalty other athletes have in the past and forfeit their medals. Kimi, learn to think with your brain, and others showing bias or lack of info learn what the facts are. Kimi you embarrass the UK.
Pat, Chicago, USA
It's a rather interesting defense against an accusation of lying to claim one once lied to gain an advantage but now that the lie has become unnessesary, one started telling the truth and can now be trusted. All everyone really knows is that the person using such a defense is an admitted liar.
Michael, Boston, USA
if they do cheat on the athletes' ages, He's gold should of course be disqualified and China should apologize to the rest of the world for their violation to the Olympics spirit. The key is the investigation. just wait.
edward, middlesex,
Did anyone ever lie about their age to get a cheaper movie ticket? Now imagine its ur 18th birthday and going to the same theater to see a rated R movie but they come up to u and say "We know you're underage cuz you we're only this old this many years ago" even tho u have an ID. Its kinda like that.
Eddie, Boston,
wake up all your sour losers. What happened to presumed innocence until proven guilty? You people have no evidence but still not ashamed of making accusations that could ruin people's lives. Accept the fact that Chinese are far better gymnasts than Americans.
paul, shanghai, China
Doesn't matter who you are or where you're from, if you break the rules and cheat, you don't deserve the honor that comes with a medal. That goes for the doping US mens relay team from the 2000 Olympics as well as the lying chinese womens gymnastics team from the 2008 Olympics. Rules are rules.
Ella, Huntington Beach, CA, USA
Harking back to unfair judging, there have been instances in which the Chinese girl gymnasts have fallen down, walked off, and planted bad landings and still gotten great scores.
Francis, Greenwich, CT, USA
Let's put it as simply as possible...rules are rules. They are there for a reason. And let's look at all of the facts. This debate began in July, prior to any medals being handed out. Further, it is not completely about how they look, it is also about reports of her actual birth year. Get the Facts!
Rachael, Columbus, OH,
Americans being sore loosers? during vaults alicia silverstone got cheated out of a bronze while the chinese girl fell on her KNEES and still got better than her? how fair is that? America is being judged harder even though they performed better than the scores they got on SEVERAL occasions.
isabel, Chicago, USA
While I think that the age limit for gymnastics is totally ridiculous, it's absolutely unfair to ALL the other athletes if anyone broke the rules, thus resulting in an uneven playing field. It's wrong, and should be investigated, weather or not they won any medals.
Jen, Cottonwood Heights, USA
The rules are there for a reason, to protect the athletes. While these girls gave a great performance, if we let this slide it will just encourage others to follow suit. While I feel for them, they're still young enough to compete in the next Olympics.
FYI Phelps got tested after every swim.
Cheryl, San Francisco, USA
I believe that this huge fuss over these girls is only because they've won. And that IMHO is just plain old bad sportsmanship. Would this scandal have erupted if they had not one a single medal? Answer? No. Not at all.
Freddie, Sando, Trinidad and Tobago
kimi - Stay out of the pubs and go back to school. Replace bar menus with newspapers. Then maybe you will be take seriously.
Scotty, Santa Ana, USA
Jesus Christ! What's wrong with the world? Can't people look younger than their actual age? Being a 26 years old , many people still think I am only 16. 16 or 14?Can anyone tell age by looks? Shaun Johnson looks like a sweet 12 years old to me. Look can be deceiving.
Kat, Auckland, New Zealand
So He is 16, there must be plenty of group photos with dates and ages, news cuttings, videos, medals/cups with date and age ... of He as a 15 year old in 2007, a 14 year old in 2006, a 13 year old in 2005, a 12 year old in 2004, a 11 year old in 2003 and a 10 year old in 2002..
Lets see.
Alison, Christchurch, NZ
. . . I suspect that the "give her the medal crowd" would feel differently if it was their sister who trained for years, followed the rules, then lost to a cheater. The Olympics are supposed to promote ideals higher than China may be willing to embrace.
Randall, Houston, USA
Being chinese american I didn't favor one team over the other. "He" performed GREAT and no one can take that away from her, HOWEVER if she is not of legal age (alltough I disagree w/the rule - which is 16) to compete at the olympics (doesn't apply to all olympic events) it is CHEATING.
Hank, BOSTON,
Why not demand hospital records from the date of birth?!?
Tracy D, Modesto, USA
Cheating is cheating whether it is by using banned performance enhancing substances or by not meeting appropriate age requirements. That is the issue here. I can't wait until the 2012 games to see how the Britains take to being under the microscope.
Linda Cox, cape girardeau, USA
The Chinese girl should not be stripped of her medals. The Chinese Gov't should, however, be stripped of it's cloak of deception.
Vince, IC,
If the Olympic committee can go back 8 years then what about the bronze medalist in 2000 who is now shown as admitting she was only 14 and would not have qualified? If her admitting it isn't "proof", what is? I hope the IOC doesn't wimp out on this. Their integrity is on the line.
Christimarie, san diego, usa
“Whatever critics may say of the Chinese Games, the over-manipulation and excessive controls, the big story is about sheer power and competence, from the breathtaking opening ceremony, the scale and modernity of the infrastructure, the quality of the technology, the smooth running of the events and the success of the Chinese team.
LaConte, Perth, USA
I am sure the Russians, Romanians, and British are interested in how this is handled as well. It isn't just a USA concern. Rules are rules. Maybe other countries had excellent 13-14 year olds that followed the rules and had to wait. Nastia had to wait even though she was good enough for Athens.
Hilsto, Rockford, USA
Out of all the Chinese gymnasts I think Deng Linlin is mostly likely underage, shes 4'5 and 68 pounds! But theres more focus on the other two here because they won the medals. I feel bad for them because they worked very hard and it's their coaches and the governments fault for altering the records.
Haley, Boston, USA
censorship of debate over the gymnast. shutting down access to Itunes because several athletes downloaded a pro-Tibet album. I wonder how all the enlightened souls who were bleating less than a year ago that the control of ICANN should be wrested from the US and given to the likes of China.
R Pettengill, Pittsburgh, PA
Laura B, Murfreesboro, TN, USA
i totally agree with what you said about Orwell's 1984. That is exactly what is happening in China right now. I am appalled that people from other countries are calling Americans "liars" and "sore loosers" just because we are the only ones that are willing to say it
Isabel, Chicago, USA
let the decesion come first..............american's agony is understandable.........
aich, india,
It saddens me to see so many message boards filled with anger and resentment over something that is-quite frankly-so trivial as a medal. This is only a brief moment in time that is supposed to bring the world together. Olympics should be celebrated for the kids who are there enjoying their sports.
Cynthia, New Jersey, USA
Sad that the victims have to be innocent children. But if they are underage the USA deserves the golds that they missed out on, because they played by the rules. China has a history of faking athletes ages. Yang Yun of the 2000 team recently admitted she was 14 at the games.
Sam, Worcester, England
I don't understand why they keep referring to government documents like passports when these would be forged by the same people who would be lieing.
Only thing that can be done is all participants proved a DNA test or something.
Scot, cincy, usa
Just another black eye on the Chinese govt. They tried so hard to make everything in their country look so perfect to the rest of the world. They photoshopped the fireworks in the opening ceremony because the pollution was so bad, they had a prettier girl lip sync the opening song, and now this.
Chad, USA,
The rules exists, in part, to protect athletes from being pressured to perform activities that an older individual might deem too risky. Age of Consent Laws exist to protect adolescents. Who is protecting these underage Chinese athletes? Does anyone remember Wang Yan?
Robin, Aurora, USA
No, Kevin Finnerty, YOU are the one that doesn't understand. The IOC is not investigating b/c these girls "look" underage (though it did prompt some skepticism); they are investigating b/c there are official documents from the Chinese gov't STATING that they are. Passport fraud. Poor China.
Mike, Albany, USA
This age controversy was only stirred up by some US media because of jealousy and ignorance. Now even HACKER got involved in this campaign. How desperate! Since when hacker discovery of some faulty government web pages can be treated as solid "evidence"? How painful is losing the gold medal race!
I
TonySu, Milford,
I'm sure Phelps has been tested. As of other competitors. If the United States had under-aged people. The outcry would be much more noticable and they would blame Bush.
The Chinese should have to follow the rules. Is that so difficult to understand?
Katie, UsA,
All Americans are liers? Puhlease! That's like saying all UKers are snobs. Oh, and we have freedom of speech, here, and can say pretty much whatever we want to say.
I don't like cheaters, wherever they're from, and I don't trust totalitarian governments, whichever one they are.
Jolinar, San Diego, USA
Let the innocent young girl keep her medals. All checks should be done 6 months ahead of the games and challenged before the games begin. Once the games begin award medals on the basis of performance. Let's have some compassion for this young girl -- and can the toxic anti-American rant.
Richard, Davis, USA
You people don't understand, China is a poor third-world country, with millions starving from lack of food, poor nutrition, and contaminated food. Perhaps a typical Chinese teenager DOES look like a Western child. We have seen this in North Korea as well; there the typical adult is well undersized.
Kevin Finnerty, Atlanta, USA
cheaters are cheaters and they should bestripped of thier medals. it doesn't matter what country they are from, even if its the host. Athletes who win a medal should be tested for drugs.
i think a proper investigation is needed on the girls age because china is doing something wrong.
eric, uk,
the AP found registration lists previously posted on the Web site of the General Administration of Sport of China. He was born Jan. 1, 1994, according to the 2005, 2006 and 2007 registration lists. Yang was born Aug. 26, 1993, according to 2004, 2005 and 2006 registration lists. someone cheated
henry wang, USA,
This is NOT a national issue -- it's a Human Rights issue. The rules are in place to protect the athletes. China must not be allowed to get away with this.
Matt Chidley, Los Angeles,
Really, Marko (Birmingham, UK)? You don't think Michael Phelps was tested nearly EVERY day of Olympic swimming competition? Ha! There's a firm policy that ALL medalists are drug-tested. Next you'll tell me that Lance Armstrong was never tested in his 7 consecutive Tour de France wins.
Mike, Albany, USA
If the IOC follows their charter, then the Chinese gymnast is toast.
You can't have rosters from previous competitions in prior years 2006 and 2007that show the gymnast in question being 2 years younger than her passport purports to be.
james S, houston,
Lar Bear - concerns about cheating color "us" as "losers"? I disagree. If true, her being underage makes the Chinese look like liars, non-credible, and non-trustworthy. If she is under 16 - and knows it - it makes her (not her government) look like a cheater. For now, the jury's still out.
Ed, Pelham, USA
We have to remember that the rules of the contest were put in place to protect the athlete. If she is 14 , and I believe that she is, then the blame needs to be put onto the Chinese Gymnastics organization and the contestants disqualified.
CTM, Cambridgeshire,
But you guys dont understand AGE DOES MATTER
when your smaller and younger its easier to do more twist and flips. also when your youner your feet and body is smaller so Balance beam is also easier.
Ask any gymnast when your 13 you could do a lot more twist and flips than you can do now as 16!!!
lauren, torrington, USA
China cheated. Wow, surprising that a Totalitarian state would cheat to show itself "superior". Nothing new here - the IOC is corrupt and won't do anything.
Emmanuel Goldstein, Dallas, USA
Why stop at allowing 14 year olds into 16 and over events?
I think all track athletes who DQed themselves by stepping on the lane lines should be re-instated into the results too.
Add to that any relay teams who dropped their batons.
Heck, just throw out the rules and let's have an internet vote.
Tim, Seattle, USA
Even if she is 16, she has the frame and body of a girl much younger. Should there not have been a medical viewpoint to prevent athletes of her stature completing so as to prevent future health problems. It's clear that she is at risk. Any parent can see that!
Carol, Reading, England
It's about the rules and that everyone must follow them or face the consequences. The inquiry should determine if the evidence is compelling enough to prove she's underage and disqualify her.
If He is underage, then she cheated and should be disqualified--very simple.
The rules apply to everyone.
Chuck, Los Angeles, USA
Nastia Liukin did not compete in the 2000 Olympics because of this age requirement. She very likely could have received a gold medal if she (and her country) had merely lied about her age.
The rules are for everyone. If the US breaks them, they should be disqualified. The same for China.
John Pierce, Denver, CO
I'm an american and my opinion is that this colors us as a bunch of sore losers. The chinese athletes shouldn't be blamed for their countries politics either, as I would hate for people to flag me based on what the current administration has done. Let's go beyond gymnastics and pettiness!
Lar Bear, Chicago, USA
The US would merely go from Silver to Gold. The UK would go from No Medal to Medal.
remember that Nadia Comaneci won her gold at 14, at a time when the rules permitted 14. Then IOC changed the rules out of concern for the athletes health. These gymnists are very good, just not old enough THIS YEAR.
Cos, Oklahoma City, USA
The real issue is not how well an althete performed, or even that she may be 13 or 16. The disturbing issue is the ability of a government to create information and make millions of people believe it. Orwell's 1984 is alive and well in the political arena ... too bad it's hit the Olympics too!
Laura B, Murfreesboro, TN, USA
Only authentic documents of the given time line will be only thing acceptable. School documents, original birth certificate, original hospital records., parents hospital records, parents employer records.
Tesa, New York, USA
With regards to comments made by Kimi from Cambridge, we live in a free society with freedom of speech. Everyone has to right to criticise and in return, be criticised.
Dan, Manchester, UK
All Americans are liars? Wow, that's a pretty sweeping indictment of over 301,000,000 people. Maybe toning down the rhetoric would help you present your case better.
JR, Savannah, USA
Does it matter. She was best there. I think USA swimmer Phileps needs to be tested. They should test everybody in the games they make enough money so why don't they do it. If she really is under 16 then its illegal. I think Americans are doing that on purpose because they lost.
Marko, Birmingham, UK
you are loser,china is great,he kexing performanced very well,everyone has seen.
kerry,london,uk
kerry, london,
No big surprise, the IOC "investigation" has already ended and has concluded everything is fine. Even Lord Hutton could have told them to take their time and at least give the appearance of impartiality.
KPO'M, Chicago,
If the Olympics is the battle for golds between countries, why bother to set any age limits. It is the nationality that matters. I dont care whether you put a grand mother or a baby to participate in any event, as long as that athlete is from the correct nationality representing his/her country.
Leenam Yon, phnom penh, cambodia
At least we can SPELL, and use appropriate grammar! The criticism is directed at the cheating, not the performance.
Ann, Dallas, USA
If it were Americans, the world would be doing the same thing. Younger players have an advantage of age/size. That is a fact. HE tied with the American so of course there is speculation and questions.
HE, competed two years ago as a 13 yr old, if so that would make her 15 now.
Deb, USA.
DEB, Middlesex, USA
Thankfully we do have the right to criticise, its called "free speech".
Alas something so demonstrably lacking in China.
Henry, southampton, UK
Kimi, Cambridge
Rules are rules and if China have good 14 year olds so do the rest of the world. There is an age requirement for medical reasons and to break it is cheating pure and simple
As for the "liers" quote I'd chose the USA to tell the truth over the Chinese state media every day
Guy, London, UK
Who cares how old she is. Skill is skill at any age.
Phill, The Wirral, England
But if she is underage she broke the rules, and the authorities conspired for these rules to be broken. This then brings the entire Chinese Olympic organisation, the Chinese Govt and relevant sporting institution into question
A cheat is a cheat, simple as that.
What else are they prepared to do?
Stewart, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Then as an American, I think she won the medal fairly and China is a great nation
Rob
Rob Connolly, Springfield , USA
Well, kimi, since the body is more flexible and lighter at 13 than it is at 16 (the same reason they say Liukin is "old" at 20), yes...I think we could beat a 16 year old. No, you can't fake the performance, but a 70-pound girl's body can do things that a 120-pound body can't. China cheated.
Nate, Dallas,
I believe this author has incorrect information; Abrahamian was NOT disqualified for taking banned substances. His medal was stripped after disrupting the medals ceremony, when he threw his medal to the floor and stormed out in anger, having not won gold.
Katherine, Richmond, UK
All americans are liers!
so shut up !
you have no rights to criticize .
by the way,could y win the gold medal if given a chance during 16 yr old?
you can fake the age ,but you can't fake the performance!!!!
kimi, cambridge, UK