More allegations today, about Chinese gymnast being underage. Why?

Question

"BEIJING (AP) - Just nine months before the Beijing Olympics, the Chinese government's news agency, Xinhua, reported that gymnast He Kexin was 13, which would have made her ineligible to be on the team that won a gold medal this week. "

http://www.nbcolympics.com/gymnastics/news/newsid=213588.html?_source=rss&cid=

13 or 16?

Answer 1

Simple. Because they possibly violated the rules and for anyone who doesn't see a problem with that has no respect for the other athletes from all over the world who spend a lifetime training and waiting for their chance at the Olympic games. If proven that any of these girls are underage then it's a disgrace to the games and needs to be dealt with.

eta: It's not about the US losing. It's about cheating.

Answer 2

Americans are racist and still bitter. Slander in the media is easier than teaching your gymnasts not to fall down all the time.

Answer 3

The truth always comes out!

If she's 16, then good for her... if not, then they should give up their Gold... that's the rules, plain and simple.

Answer 4

Younger gymnasts can perform some things that the older gymnasts can but it's usually the physical size issue. i.e. If I weigh 34 pounds as opposed to 200 it would be much easier for me to do some of these acrobatic moves. (yeah, right, but you get the point)

This problem is two fold:

1.) Marta Karolyi (the US team manager/coach) should just focus on what she's paid to, that is to take care of what she can influence: the US team. She dwelt so much on the fact that these Chinese girls were 14 her behavior became pitiful She was blaming everything/everyone else for the fact that the US lost the Gold. Yes, Sacramone was made to wait a long time before her beam routing, yes, maybe the Chinese girls are 14, but her job was to get the best routine out of HER team. She failed miserably at that last night. This was just sour grapes!

2.) This is a safety issue for these little girls. I didn't understand the big deal about having the younger girls perform but it's now obvious that a 14 year old's body is still developing and this could have lasting consequences on their bone development, etc. The effects may not be as significant as substance abuse (steroids, etc) but these girls will pay for this later on in their life just like the East German girls of the 1970's and 1980's are now.

These are what I believe the true issues are. (and I don't see this batch of 14 year olds getting better. I see the next batch of 14 year old Chinese gymnasts coming in to take their place next year unless someone steps in to protect them.)

Thanks, and excellent question.

Please check out the following article. It has some interesting hypothesis (like 13 and 14 year old hips being more flexible and faster while they're still in the development phases) but I'm unsure I agree with all of them.

Answer 5

It's because Chinese (and Asian people in general) look much younger than their actual age. This is even more true for gymnasts, who are usually short.

Answer 6

Well,in general,Asians age a lot slower than Americans.Some of those American teenagers looked mid twenties.Still though,I wouldn't be surprised if the Chinese gymnasts are underage.Judging by what the girls go through,China would do anything to win the gold.

It wouldn't be the first time someone has been called out for being underage at the gymnastics competition.

Answer 7

The issue is being brought up (again) because the IOC has set a standard for the Olympics.  It debated a lot whether it should put an age limit for the athletes.  When the IOC did finally say the athlete must be 16 years of age the year of the Olympics, the rest of the World has followed this ( as best we know).  China on the other, (from what information has been shown to us) has not stood by this.   They have said that both of these young ladies are 16 years old.  However, old programs and even official govt websites have shown that both of these girls might not be.  

More than anything it s heartbreaking to know that while most are obeying a rule, that some individuals do not care.  AND are willing to say (with their actions) " WE do NOT care what is right.  We care only about the gold medals."

These two girls are AMAZING athletes, but if they are really underage to perform in these olypmics then the IOC will have to make that call.  

PS... People need to stop saying the USA is jealous.  Yes, maybe some are, but lets be honest if it was you being cheated and you played by all the rules, wouldn't you be a little jaded too?  

Answer 8

One thing to keep in mind, the girl in question did NOT participate in the team competition on Tuesday.

So, China won team competition without that girl in question.  She is an uneven bar specialist.

Answer 9

and i feel bad about them too (the gymnasts)

13 there is no way that three of them or 2 of them are 16

my friend is a gymnasts and we both agree that china cheated

but China did do better even if they did Cheat

they also lied about the "lip sync" and the fireworks might have been prerecorded

i saw this too the article

and I'm from the US but i really think that if they did cheat they should get caught i mean its only fair

and I'm 17 and I have been asked if I'm 12 so yeah

Answer 10

Whatever their age, Surely, being younger is less than of advantage. Why is the Gymnastics restricted at 16, when the IOC allow the "14 Year Old Wonder Diver- Tom Daley" to dive.

Answer 11

Because China is cheating

Answer 12

Why?

Probably because its true. China sucks. They will do anything to win.

Answer 13

Chinese are looking into this too.. OMG is that shocking? Its just not only the U.S. who thinks the gymnast team underage :O...

Answer 14

How are the kids being hurt? I'll bet they are thrilled to be competing on a world stage, with the glory of winning an olympic gold medal. But if you look at it, all gymnasts look young. There are many from other countries who look prepubescent as well. Besides, Americans are just bitter because they are losing.