Age of Chinese Women's Gymnasts at 2008 Olympics...?

Question

There's been some question about whether a few members of the Chinese Women's Gymnastics Team at the 2008 Olympics are actually old enough to be competing there (you have to be 16 years old to compete). What do you think?

http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/beijing/gymnastics/news?slug=dw-underage081108&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

Answer 1

Well you can always falsify papers but you can never fool an eye.  Most of those girls look way too young but the Chinese wanted gold or nothing and of course are willing to cheat if they have to. They were good but if they're going to go that route then why not take the age restrictions out of the way so everybody can have their young girls too?! At least make if fair for everyone....geez!

Answer 2

Their last minute sub was far smaller than the rest of the Chinese women's team (which means she was less than shoulder height to the average American gymnastics competitor).  She looked like she was about nine or ten, so by gymnastics that means she's probably about 12 years of age.  That little girl has missing teeth, as if all her adult teeth haven't grown in yet!  Seriously, so looked no older than the lip syncher at the opening ceremonies.  

Answer 3

So what if they look underaged.  They just kicked butt at the olympics!

Answer 4

I think they just won the gold medal.  Please stop being jealous and enjoy the Olympic Games.

Answer 5

One of them is still losing her  baby teeth, so I'm sure at least two of them are not old enough. They look to be around 12 to 14.

Answer 6

we should cut them open and count their rings!!!

Answer 7

We'll never know for sure.

But, keep in mind that Asians almost always look younger than others. Just because someone looks 12 doesn't mean they are.  

Answer 8

I think they have forged the dates on their passports to make them older, cause they really do look 10-12

Answer 9

They look like 12.

Answer 10

Some of them look 10 yrs old. And a couple look 15-16. Most however look like little kids. There is no way that they are all 16. I heard that they are taken away from their parents at very young ages like as early as 3 yrs old and put into training camps to better their skills. They said they even get some of the kids from daycares that show that they have good skills. It's so sad that a kid can be taken away from their childhood like that.  

Answer 11

I think they are younger than they are supposed to be.

Answer 12

I totaly agree. The point that their goverment issues passport insted of birth cert. from the hostipals seems abit fishy too me. One of these days, cat will be let out of the bag, and China will lose all their medals and respect of the world. And that's when the nukes will fly.

Answer 13

i want to see the other international rosters they were signed in on that reports allege ages of 14 not 16.

and it does make a difference.   its the women not child team.  girls have an advantage in weight distribution and center of gravity.

we cannot accept something as easy for a government to fake as a passport.  

where are the birth certificates?  where are the rosters of other events they were involved in prior to the olympics.

Answer 14

There was a 14 and 15 year old competing for China.  

Answer 15

they are so not old enough and since china made their birth certificates they can easily fake their age but at least two look to be maybe 14 at the oldest