The International Olympic Committee announced today that it would officially nullify the results of Chinese gymnast Dong Fangxiao from the 2000 Games. This comes after a February ruling from the FIG that Dong was underage when she competed at the Olympics. The FIG had recommended this action be taken, but it was up to the IOC to actually strip the medals -- the team bronze medals won by China.
The USA team, (Amy Chow, Jamie Dantzscher, Dominique Dawes, Kristin Maloney, Elise Ray and Tasha Schwikert), originally the fourth place finishers that day, will now receive bronze medals. According to MSNBC, the IOC has ordered China to return the team medals "as soon as possible" so they can be given to the US team.
The evidence that Dong was underage seemed very solid (more on it here). Though I don't think cheating should be allowed, it's hard not to feel badly for Dong and the other gymnasts in all of this. I guess the IOC is trying to send a clear message that this won't be tolerated, but it seems a little late when it's 10 years after the fact. To me, this seems all the more reason to re-think the age limit, too.
This also adds yet another asterisk to the bizarre results of the 2000 Olympics, during which the vault was set to the wrong height and the original all-around champ was stripped of her gold.
(Pictured above: Dong Fangxiao; Jack Atley / Getty Images)
Comments
I agree, I feel bad for the gymnast. It’s not like they decided to cheat. And there are so many other cheaters, like the Romanians in the late 90s, that it seems like China was singled out. though I do think they cheated at the 2008 games too. either way, i agree that 10 years after is too late, and that maybe the age limit should be 15 again. it’s annoying when it’s cheating that doesn’t really affect the gymnastics.
Totally wrong decision, they were just forced to because there was so much evidence. 10 years after the fact? Ridiculous! I wonder what the USA girls think about it. Time to get rid of the unenforceable age limit rule.
The Olympics that wasn’t, for sure. Are any of the women’s events from that meet not asterisked at this point? Such a shame, because it was one of the most talented groups of gymnasts ever, IMO.
Mandy you make a good point no one from the American team has discussed this issue in depth. It is sad that the girl’s talent are applauded instead they are discussing loop holes.
http://www.newsy.com/videos/ioc-strips-china-s-2000-gymnastics-medal
Provides some additional context
Are you all implying that it is okay to cheat???
Are you all implying that it is right to reward bad behavior? What difference does it make whether it happened 10 years ago, or just two? Cheating is cheating, folks! Rules exist in a civilized society for a very good reason!
If the Chinese hadn’t cheated, the American women would have won the bronze.
Now, I realize it’s not the gold medal, but even a bronze medal can potentially mean millions of dollars in product endorsements and clothing lines, television and movie appearances, possible book deals, future career advancement, life-long credibility in whatever endeavors they may persue, etc., etc.
What the Chinese did was WRONG……PERIOD!
SHEESH!!
I don’t think people think its ok to cheat, its just silly that this is being done 10 years after, when its pretty obvious that the 2008 girls were too young too. The Chinese might have still won bronze, just with a different athlete. That doesn’t make it right, but dealing with it 10 years later isn’t fair to anyone.
Absolutely the right decision. Whether you agree with them or not, the rules are the rules. If there are no consequences to breaking them then where do you draw the line at what is acceptable. It is really unfortunate that the innocent gymnasts are the ones to suffer but it is the only way to stop cheating in the future. I agree the Chinese may still have beaten the US with different athletes of the correct age… we wont ever know. Shame it happened but I’m glad that it didnt go without action being taken eventually!