Investigation Still Ongoing for Chinese Women
Sunday August 24, 2008
Despite rumors that the IOC and FIG investigation was complete, the FIG has issued the following statement about the controversy regarding the age of several of the Chinese women:
Finally, he asserted his belief that the age rules are necessary, saying it protects young people from overtraining and injury.
Beijing (CHN) BTG FIG Office, August 23, 2008: The Executive Committee members of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) held an extraordinary meeting today August 23, to discuss the age of Chinese female gymnasts.IOC president Jacques Rogge, in an interview just aired with Bob Costas on NBC, said that he expects an official ruling ruling to be announced in the next several hours. He also stated, "There is only one sanction: disqualification" for athletes who break the rules, meaning that if the Chinese women are found to be underage, their medals won (team gold, He Kexin's bars gold, Yang Yilin's bars bronze and all-around bronze) are all in jeopardy.
Further to the communication released yesterday regarding the age of gymnasts who competed here in Beijing, the FIG continues to gather information.
The Federation has received a number of documents from the Chinese Gymnastics Federation, including passports, identity cards and family booklets. All information is in Chinese and the IF is making as thorough analysis as possible of the papers.
This process may take some time, but in due course, the FIG will make a full report of our findings to the International Olympic Committee.
Finally, he asserted his belief that the age rules are necessary, saying it protects young people from overtraining and injury.
Comments
Wow, I wonder if the IOC is actually going to do the right thing. That would be surpising. I really thought they were just going to pretend to investigate, but maybe they really are?
I am amazed that the “investigation” has gone this far. But I am convinced that the Chinese government has the capability and the motivation to produce whatever paperwork is necessary to avoid disqualification. I don’t begrudge the Chinese girls their medals. They were phenomenal. BUT I hate the tie breaker and want nastia to have bar gold!!
What if it really is just a paperwork problem? I think we need to give the Chinese federation the benefit of the doubt on this one.
Martha — there’s no way this is just a paperwork problem. There is too much evidence. Maybe not proof, but too much evidence to support the idea that this was all a misunderstanding.
It looks like that it WAS a paperwork problem. The Chinese women are innocent!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtB5VLxOBsQ
The gymnast community - male and female - should strike until there is a resolution. They ENTIRE community needs to stand together to make a point. We all know more than one of the Chinese “women” were under 16. If the IOC comes back with “all the paperwork was in order” you won’t find me donating money again to the sport. Ever.