What's the go with the Chinese Gymnasts?

Question

They look about 12.

I read somewhere they used fake passports??

Is there an age you have to be to compete?

Answer 1

>>Is there an age you have to be to compete?<<

At least 16 that YEAR (not necessarily at the time of the games, but no later than December 31st). China is cheating:

"In Chinese newspaper profiles this year, He was listed as 14, too young for the Beijing Games.

"The Times found two online records of official registration lists of Chinese gymnasts that list He’s birthday as Jan. 1, 1994, which would make her 14. A 2007 national registry of Chinese gymnasts — now blocked in China but viewable through Google cache — shows He’s age as '1994.1.1.'

"Another registration list that is unblocked, dated Jan. 27, 2006, and regarding an 'intercity' competition in Chengdu, China, also lists He’s birthday as Jan. 1, 1994. That date differs by two years from the birth date of Jan. 1, 1992, listed on He’s passport, which was issued Feb. 14, 2008."

An admission of cheating in 2000:

"Yang Yun of China won individual and team bronze medals at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and later said in an interview on state-run television that she had been 14 at the time of those Games. A Hunan Province sports administration report also said later that she had been 14 when she competed in Sydney."

China's People's Daily newspaper stating He Kexin's age as 14 on May 23, 2008:

"Olympic gymnastics title contenders suddenly have one more thing to worry about other than the eight gold medals China claimed at the Tianjin World Cup last week. Her name is He Kexin.

"The 14-year-old newcomer to the national team, who was recruited last year, has raised a lot of eyebrows recently after she broke two world records on the uneven bars in as many months. She will be just one more weapon on an already star-studded Chinese Olympic squad."

Answer 2

Um... I beg to differ with some of the previous posts. A few of their ages have been listed differently in previous submissions to the press and other events.

Answer 3

ROFL at the person using WIKI as a reliable reference

There is an minimum age of 16.  This is to protect the athletes as gymnastics places great strain on the bodies.  

The female gymnasts look young but as of yet, there is NO evidence. So far its all assumptions and sour grapes.

Sadly, Olympics not only bring out the best but the worst in people (particularly losers)

Answer 4

Those are probably just rumors. I noticed Chinese girls usually look a bit younger anyway.

And I'm pretty sure you have to be 16.

Answer 5

You have to be 16 but be careful posting this question people will accuse of being American because this subject is their favourite grip at the moment nice to see you over here its just like the AFL section except not quite as civilised.

Answer 6

All I know, is when I talked with my girlfriend about it, who lives in Nanning, China. She said, oh yes, they are 14. Everyone there knows this. Chinese media even reports the events and states their age as 14. What isn't reported, or what the people do not know, is that it is against the rules that the girls are underage.

The impression there is that, yes, they are 14, but what is wrong with that?

Answer 7

Nah, I think Chinese people look younger than they are anyway

Answer 8

Read other post!!! And yes, being gymnasts make you look younger as long time of stretch and extreme position can change the physique.

Answer 9

The U.S. lost for the gold so now the other team is "cheating" according to their media. The best way to make the other side pay is to slander them after they beat you fair and square. It's poor sportsmanship and typical racism nothing less nothing more.

Answer 10

Chinese women tend to look younger.  American girls tend to look older (because of all the makeup and S**t...and the hormones give them huge....."attributes")

But seriously...no they're not 12.  And if they were, more shame to the rest of the world for getting beat by a bunch of primary school kids.

Answer 11

as i am chinese, the only thing i heard about make fake age is the soccer team, they make them younger to play with the U21 game, but still sucks.

Chinese girl just look younger. because they r little.

And I dont think a 12 years girl have that power to play those and win the gold.

Answer 12

just cause people look young dont mean they aint old...chinese retain their youth appearance longer then western people do...its just natural genetics...chinese youth appearance last longer but when you hit 30ish the appearance catches up to western people do...sorry but its true western people do age quicker and look more mature appearance at a younger age...im 21 and everybody says i look more like 18...fake passport where is your so called site that you read this from??? country bashing forums dont count