More questions about age of Chinese gymnasts

Associated Press reports that birth data found online brings into question whether Yang Yilin, a Chinese gymnast who is considered a gold medal contender, is too young to compete in the Beijing Games.

If the birth information is correct, questions now exist as to whether three Chinese gymnasts -- half of the national team -- are too young to compete.

Yang, who competes in the all-around and uneven bars, was born Aug. 26, 1993, according to the 2004, 2005 and 2006 registration lists previously posted on the web site of the General Administration of Sports of China. That would make her 15th birthday later this month.

But the 2007 registration list has Yang's birthday as Aug. 26, 1992, which would make her old enough to compete.

Similar concerns have already been raised about the ages of He Kexin, a gold-medal favorite on uneven bars, and Jiang Yuyuan.

Chinese gymnastics officials did not immediately respond to AP's request for documentation of Yang's age and an explanation for the discrepancy.

International Gymnastics Federation secretary general Andrei Gueisbuhler said he couldn’t comment on the documents without seeing them.

IOC president Jacques Rogge on Saturday told AP that the age question was a FIG issue. “The IOC relies on the international federations, who are exclusively responsible for the eligibility of athletes,” Rogge said. “It’s not the task of the IOC to check every one of the 10,000 athletes.”

Here's what blogger Diane Pucin wrote about the age issue in The Los Angeles Times on July 28.

-- Greg Johnson

Comments

[becca]

Yang Yilin has made huge strives this year as an All Around gymnast. Many think she has a realistic shot at winning, and will medal at least if she hits.

She could conceivably win 3 medals at this Olympics.

I'm mad at the Chinese for cheating, but I think these age rules suck.

Yang Yilin, Jiang Yuyuan, He Kexin, and Rebecca Bross belong at the Olympics. Who knows if four yaers from now, these girls will even be healthy. IDoctoring ages is wrong, but so are these age limits.

[Natasha]

Boycott the darn Chinese Games - do not even watch them on TV. These bloody Communists do not deserve any world attention. I feel bad that our athletes have to compete in these "Games of Shame" sponsored by the Chinese dictators.

[Joe]

Rules are rules. If its ok to violate this rule, why not others. Would performance enhancing drugs be ok next? Does being smaller and younger give her a competitive advantage? Its sorry for her but you have to know the Chinese federation was aware of the rule if she is indeed too young.

[May]

Why is everyone so quick to assume that China cheated? Just cause of something that is reported? Seems that everyone is so quick to jump to blame China, yet doesn't give them the time of day when something positive comes from the very same country you all point the finger at.

[Celeste]

Despite all the claims that Chinese gymnasts look way too young to be sixteen, I think you have to consider the fact that the asian physique is different from the Americans. They are naturally smaller and look younger. you might be using your preconception on how a typical USA 16 year old look like...and unfairly comparing it with the Chinese.
If you compare Shawn Johnson to her classmates in school, she look way too young too.
And, you cant just assume all information on the net to be true.

And good job for the both the USA and the Chinese team today!
But i must admit, i was really hoping Russia gets bronze! (But 4 falls?!)

[Mike James]

My, my - the grapes are very sour on that side of the pond this morning, The phrase 'just becasue you're losing' springs to mind. They're just some games everybody, nothing more and nothing to get all righteous over. Just enjoy the abilities of all the athletes, it's not all about winning you know!

[Derek]

I would just like to say to everyone who keeps saying the chinese age differently and all that other hooplah, sure they do, but what about the teeth? A tooth is missing off one of the girls near the front. Now to my experience teeth fall out and come too around the same in all regions. So how about it? Why is she missing a tooth if she isn't 11-14 should she not have all of her teeth by now if she is 16 other than her wisdom teeth?

[Melissa]

I wonder if sneaking Nastia Liukin into Athens in 2004 at 14 years old could have pushed that women's team into gold instead of silver (Theyh were less than a point behind Romania). I don't think the younger chinese are too young to compete in a gymnastics competition. I just think they have to be put on a fair playing field. I know Asian people tend to look younger and are smaller but come on. The administration of Sports of China had for three years in a row listed her dob as 1993 and all of a sudden the Olympics are in their country and they change her dob to 1992 there's definitely something fishy about that.

[Drew]

Notice how no documents whatsoever regarding the "DOCUMENTS ARE SHOWING THAT THEY'RE TOO YOUNG" have been released to the media.

Remember, "International Gymnastics Federation secretary general Andrei Gueisbuhler said he couldn’t comment on the documents without seeing them."

[skyy]

The age rules are not stupid because when people are young their bodies are more flexible (ex. ages 10-15 are more flexible). Flexibility is a huge component in gymnastics, making the UNDERAGE chinese gymnast more favorable in winning. The IOC should do something to crack down on this case, and disqualify those gymnasts who are underage.

[Bobby Lucas]

documents can be falsified or fix by anybody, specially gov't..Ever heard of having to get a "bone age" exams...perhaps that could helps....but they do look very, very, young