FIG dropped the hammer …
By NANCY ARMOUR AP National Writer:
Dong Fangxiao was 14 during the Sydney Games, according to an investigation by the International Gymnastics Federation. Gymnasts must be 16 during the Olympic year to compete.
A second gymnast on the 2000 squad, Yang Yun, also was suspected of being underage. But there was insufficient evidence her age had been falsified, and the FIG said it was giving her a warning.
The FIG has “cancelled” all of Dong’s results from Sydney and forwarded its investigation to the International Olympic Committee. Because the case involves the Olympics, it is up to the IOC to decide if China should lose any medals.
The IOC has said previously it would take “necessary measures” if any gymnasts were found to be underage. The United States was fourth at the Sydney Games.
“We can confirm that we have received the ruling from the FIG in the case concerning Dong Fangxiao and Yang Yun, and we take due note of their decision,” IOC spokesman Mark Adams said. “Clearly, we need to take time to consider the findings before the Executive Board can consider the matter. …
Most gymnastics experts feel the age requirement is the wrong way to protect young gymnasts around the world. But if FIG is going to make stupid rules, they should enforce them.
Next … why was Yang Yun found innocent? I saw much more convincing “evidence” that she was underage than for her teammate.
And will IOC actually strip Dong Fangxiao and the Chinese Olympic Team of their 2000 Olympic medals?
Update: commentary from Andrew Thornton
16 comments ↓
[...] ← gymnast Dong Fangxiao – Guilty [...]
If they bump up the medalists they BETTER give Shannon Miller the gold medal she won in 92 that Gutsu cheated to get and I don’t want to hear statue of limitations because the IOC knew about this in 1995 and they did nothing about it. NOTHING.
This stuff has been going on for years EVERYONE knew and they did nothing. This is pathetic
[...] finds Dong Fangxiao guilty of age falsification gymnast Dong Fangxiao – Guilty — Gymnastics Coaching.com I'm honestly shocked. Not that she was under age, but that FIG actually had the guts to find her [...]
I don’t think their decision is pathetic as much as it is overdue. There are rules and everyone should follow them, whether you like the rules or not. It also opens up a huge can of worms. How far can you go back?
If we’re starting up the age investigation, then maybe they should investigate the ages of the Chinese gymnasts in Beijing first. That way, if the FIG even starts in on Statue of Limitations nonsense, at least some justice will be done.
What ‘evidence’ do you see for Yang Yun? I don’t understand that statement at all.
Rick: They should absolutely strip the medals. This is not harsh, it is the only way. In track, if a single relay sprinter is on roids, the whole medal team loses. Gym should NOT wuss out.
NOTFAIR needs to get over it!!
gustu was not under age, she did what she was told to do..
PS did gustu even know her coaches were lying about roza injury at the time???
Yang Yun won an individual medal – maybe that is why she is found innocent – more medals to re-distribute? Plus, she’s married to the current Olympic Champion. There could be some major backlash there.
I don’t like the age limit, so I don’t care much. I am glad I got to see Yang and Dong compete in Sydney – they were great to watch and who knows if we’d have seen them at the 2004 Olympics.
Good comment, Kate. I’ll amend the post.
As it progressed I recall many more rumours about Yang Yun, but I’d have to dig through all my old posts to catalogue them.
Instead I’ll say “more convincing evidence” …
Yes Tatiana knew Roza wasn’t injured and no one needs to get over it. The Soviets cheated. Do you not grasp that concept? Why is one cheater allowed to stay but not the other?
They need to be fair to everyone or no one because it is not fair that ANYONE got cheated out of a medal.
Your attitude Diane is horrible.
so if they take away the metals does that mean the US team gets a bronze metal? So they would remake the metals and send me to all the girls on the 2000 olympic team?
Cheeter, cheeter, cheeter..
all this anger at the romanans the soviets the chinese adolensents,or children in some cases.did anybody on this board grow up in a communist regime where your told what to do, where to do it, and what you should be thinking when you do it. I dont think the lesson of fair play was regularly taught at elementary sport schools these children were enrolled in because somebody saw a talent that could be exploited in the best interest of the state.
The fact remains that these athletes competed, and won, in some cases at the compititions they were entered in. Where some over scored because of the country the came from? Sure
but in a subjective sport you will always see that.
Do I think Gutsu beat miller?No, my mom does, and i can clearly see the argument in favor of her.
Do I think shawn beat nastia? Yes, but nastia is the olympic champion and i respect that.and i’m sure theres other finished that are to be debated.but that life
as far as gustu and even amanar getting in to the AA final
If somebody gave you the chance to compete in the biggest meet in your life would you say no??
If it were up to me i’d strip the medals and ban china from the next worlds and olympics and demand an overhaul of there federation. but look at who else gets hurt in that scenario, ask any olympic hopeful from 1980 what losing that chance did to them and not there federation.
ps sorry for any spelling/grammar errors
IF the USA is awarded the bronze do you think nbc wil start giving that team some respect and not constantly show the maloney vault fall in its sydney replays?
[...] that the FIG declared Dong Fangxiao guilty of being underage at the 2000 [...]
[...] wonder how she feels about taking the blame for the medal scandal, while Mrs. Yang Wei, Yang Yun, was found [...]
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