Chinese gymnast age issue hits the fan -- again

[JBillyGirl]

New documents found on Internet caches have been found that add fuel to the fire of the controversy surrounding the ages of Chinese gymnasts. The big difference this time around is that the IOC has, for the first time, ordered the international gymnastics federation (FIG) to investigate.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/ ... 583174.ece

I wonder if such an investigation could be successful, since even if this is true, the Chinese basically hold all the cards and the IOC/FIG are cowards.

[PlacentiaSoccerMom]

I hope that the investigation is succesful and the IOC has the guts to punish the Chinese.

If the underaged girls were stripped of their medals:

The USA would have a gold in the team competition, instead of a silver.
Romania would have the silver and the Russian the bronze.

Ksenia Semenove of Russia would have the bronze in the all-around instead of Yang Yilin.

Nastia Liukin would have the gold in bars instead of He Kexin.
Beth Tweddle of the UK would have the silver.
Anastasia Koval would have the bronze instead of Yang Yilin.

[mellytu74]

When this first came out, a co-worker predicted there would finally be an investigation but the result of that investigation would come long after the Closing Ceremonies, so there could be no retaliation against the athletes who will win the medals with the disqualifications.

[NellyLunatic1980]

MM Gymnast will not be happy about this.

[earendel]

New documents found on Internet caches have been found that add fuel to the fire of the controversy surrounding the ages of Chinese gymnasts. The big difference this time around is that the IOC has, for the first time, ordered the international gymnastics federation (FIG) to investigate.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/ ... 583174.ece

I wonder if such an investigation could be successful, since even if this is true, the Chinese basically hold all the cards and the IOC/FIG are cowards.

No. According to the FIG (International Federation of Gymastics) the official proof of age is a passport. Since the Chinese government has issued passports to all their girl gymnasts showing that they are at least 16, there's no way that the decision that has already been made will be overturned.

[gsabc]

New documents found on Internet caches have been found that add fuel to the fire of the controversy surrounding the ages of Chinese gymnasts. The big difference this time around is that the IOC has, for the first time, ordered the international gymnastics federation (FIG) to investigate.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/ ... 583174.ece

I wonder if such an investigation could be successful, since even if this is true, the Chinese basically hold all the cards and the IOC/FIG are cowards.

No. According to the FIG (International Federation of Gymastics) the official proof of age is a passport. Since the Chinese government has issued passports to all their girl gymnasts showing that they are at least 16, there's no way that the decision that has already been made will be overturned.

Also considering that the IOC handed it over saying, in effect, "There's nothing to find and we're satisfied with the age proofs, but here, look at it anyway." In other words, here's the verdict, now find the evidence. What a crock.

[danielh41]

Dan Wetzel wrote a pretty good column ripping the IOC and its president... http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/beijin ... &type=lgns

And from what I've read elsewhere, the IOC has already closed the investigation (after only 12 hours?). If they were going to conduct a bogus investigation, you would think that they would at least try to give the at least the appearance of caring about the rules...