A breaking story I’ve just seen linked via Gymnastics Examiner:
… “Today, the President of the FIG Disciplinary Commission in charge of this case – based on Art. 20 of the FIG Code of Discipline and the evidence in his hands – has taken immediate action and provisionally suspended the Gymnastics Association of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (PRK) and their Gymnast Ms. Hong Su Jong, as of 6th October 2010 for a period of 30 days,” the FIG wrote in a press release issued Tuesday night.
The ban will keep North Korean gymnasts from participating at the 2010 World Championships, which begin in Rotterdam two weeks from today. …
This as a result of that nation having registered Hong Su Jong under 3 different birthdates over the years.
Unless PRK appeals, their gymnastics teams (WAG and MAG, I assume) will not compete in Rotterdam. And therefore will not qualify for Worlds 2011. Nor Olympics 2012.
Click through to Gymnastics Examiner for details – Wow: North Korea banned from World Championships
… I don’t get it.
Why such a different response than that levied against China for age falsification in 2000? … In that case, China was stripped of individual and team medals.
The result is much more severe for North Korea.
… Personally I think this is the correct discipline measure. China should have been banned from participating in the 2010 Worlds, as well.
Gymnastics Coaching.com 