Gymnastics Examiner posted a good overview of the Chinese age falsification investigation:
… Yang, who is married to 2008 men’s Olympic all-around champion Yang Wei, was said to be 16 in Sydney. But in 2008 she gave an interview on Chinese television and stated that she was 14 when she competed at the Olympics. Yang later said she misspoke. She also won a bronze medal on uneven bars at the Sydney Games. …
Decision about age of Chinese gymnasts Yang and Dong expected soon
The decision just announced is that her teammate Dong Fangxiao is guilty, but that there’s insufficient evidence that Yang Yun was underage.
I guess this admission on National TV in China was not deemed conclusive.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. (3min 30sec)
I don’t believe for a second that Yang Yun was old enough for the 2000 Olympics. My guess is that she will admit her actual age in the massive media onslaught to come.
If China and her teammate are to be punished, I don’t think she and her Olympic Champion husband will stay quiet. He’s a national hero there.
Update with a few new details is posted on Gymnastics Examiner.
7 comments ↓
[...] … why was Yang Yun found innocent? I saw much more convincing “evidence” that she was underage than for her [...]
I think it would be better to say that Dong Fangxiao’s coaches are guilty since I doubt it was her idea
Of course neither girl is responsible for competing underage in Sydney. But the ruling of FIG is against the athlete.
If it was up to me, I’d let all the gymnasts from Sydney (and Beijing) keep their medals, and punish the Chinese Federation into the future.
Bull. Those girls cheated. They’re not animals from a zoo. they get the benefit of the medal when they win, they take the fall for cheating. They were not 3 year olds. Harden up and put the hammer down, just like with a steroid cheat.
They aren’t animals from a zoo, but they are subjects of a government that is terribly oppressive.
What were they supposed to do in Sydney — approach the nearest line judge and say, “Excuse me, we’re not old enough to be here…”
Can you imagine what the Chinese government would have done to them and their families for that disgrace?
poly.. i assume you live in an demacratic country as do I so we really dont know the punishment that can come down on both the athlete, and or her family for not folling her federations mandate.
She’s a cheat. That the society has corruption on all levels, just makes it that much worse. And hammering the athletes, should be a no-brainer. Hammer the Federation, hammer the athletes. Send a message.
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