Do you believe that the Chinese gymnasts are in the legal age to compete?

Question

Seeing that East Asians are much smaller in size compared to Cauasians and many other races.

Also, I find that East Asians tend to have "younger" faces compared to someone of a different race but the same age.

*Oops, sorry if the question is grammatically incorrect...This question was kind of hard to phrase.

Answer 1

some of them appear to be younger than 16.  the rule is there for some reason.  I think I heard it had to do with getting injured too young.  

Answer 2

Does age really matter unless a really really old person goes out there and blows everyone away with some awesome performance?  

Answer 3

Why is there an age limit anyways for gymnastics? I just saw a 14 year old male diver that was built like a truck! If he's 14 and competing in the Olympics, why can't the chinese gymnasts?  

PS..i don't condone cheating.  So if the rules say 14 year olds not allowed and there is hard evidence China cheated, then they're wrong.  But until that happens...you can't assume anything.  How many times have you said "wow...your mom and dad look young for their age!"...well guess what..puberty hits at different ages too.  So stop hatin' and just do some waitin'!  Till the truth gets out!

Answer 4

i think they are like 13[the girls] they have very young faces

Answer 5

Why is it such a problem?

if they are younger than everybody else but can still win, they should be applauded for beating people much older than them, not stripped of their medals

Answer 6

There is mounting evidence that the girls are under 16.  If its true, the Chinese cheated.  They should have fielded different competitors who met the standards.  These girls could have competed in the next Olympics.

Answer 7

Of course, the issue has been resolved.   The Chinese government has provided more than ample documentation; hence they are at a legal age.  I do NOT challenge that.  It's extremely disrespectful.                  

Answer 8

Use search to find millions of answers there.

Question: overused too much.

JPN: Avg height: 4'10'' Avg weight: 82 pounds Avg age: 19

CHN: Avg height: 4'8'' Avg weight: 77 pounds Avg age: ~16.8=17

Answer 9

Done and run mate catch up the talk of the town now is the 14 year old english kid in the diving

Answer 10

I don't feel their age was/is represented accurately!

  

Answer 11

If they are, they certainly don't look it.

I've never seen any 16 year olds who look like those gymnasts.

Answer 12

I really don't care. They won. Isn't the age 16 rule, new?

Answer 13

They look young and even if they are they beat those other girls because they are better. That's all that should matter.

Answer 14

Those girls are definitely not over 16.

I really think they should lose their medals for breaking the rules and lying.

Answer 15

I know that Asians tend to have a baby face and have a smaller figure/physique than other ethnicities ......but those girls looked like they were 4 YEARS OLD!!!  

Answer 16

The evidence supports that the gymnasts are of age. There are some counter evidence that suggests they are not. Right now, i am still open minded about their age.

As of late, i believe they are of age until OFFICIAL evidence have been found that contradicts the claim.

Answer 17

I don't think they questioned their ages because of appearances but because they have different birth years on record.

The main gymnast in question, He Kexin, looks like she could be 16 but there have been documents found stating that she is 14 and has had various birth dates for competitions.

Answer 18

This has been asked a million billion times.....

Please type that same thing you just asked in the search bar,and you will find enough answers to last you an eternity.

Answer 19

i dont know why they arent looking at school documentation to verify age, i mean they would have the enrollment date and when they are expected to graduate

Answer 20

okay. yeah asians look younger. so what.

Answer 21

Official evidence was found-taken from team rosters from years ago that proved they are only 14. Again, the rules say they must be 16 to compete-no ifs ands  or buts!!

"Earlier this month, the AP found registration lists previously posted on the Web site of the General Administration of Sport of China that showed both He and Yang were too young to compete. He was born Jan. 1, 1994, according to the 2005, 2006 and 2007 registration lists. Yang was born Aug. 26, 1993, according to the 2004, 2005 and 2006 registration lists. In the 2007 registration list, however, her birthday has changed to Aug. 26, 1992."

Age falsification has been a problem in gymnastics since the 1980s after the minimum age was raised from 14 to 15 to protect young athletes from serious injuries. The minimum age was raised to its current 16 in 1997. Younger gymnasts are considered to have an advantage because they are more flexible and are likely to have an easier time doing the tough skills the sport requires. They also aren't as likely to have a history of injuries or fear of failure.

North Korea was barred from the 1993 world championships after FIG officials discovered Kim Gwang Suk, the gold medalist on uneven bars in 1991, was listed as 15 for three years in a row. Romania admitted in 2002 that several gymnasts' ages had been falsified, including Olympic medalists Gina Gogean and Alexandra Marinescu.

Even China's own Yang Yun, a double bronze medalist in Sydney, said during an interview aired on state broadcaster China Central Television that she was 14 during the 2000 Games.