Chinese Gymnastics Update

October 1st, 2008 filed in Olympics

The Chinese Gymnastics Team has been cleared of any wrong doing in their 2008 gold medal winning performances. International gymnastics officials have closed their nearly 6 week investigation into the ages of the Chinese gymnasts at the Beijing Olympics, saying the documentation provided confirms they were old enough to compete. Our polls here at Cheat or Beat tell a completely different story, and we doubt the official investigation will do anything to change the minds of most who watched the competition this year. Somehow we don’t think this story will go away this easily.

While the initial investigation has been closed, 2 members of the 2000 squad remain under scrutiny as previously reported. The Associated Press has the story :

“The FIG does not consider the explanations and evidence provided to date in regards to these athletes as satisfactory,” the International Gymnastics Federation said in a statement.

Dong got a Beijing Olympics credential with documents that suggest she was only 14 in 2000, said Andre Gueisbuhler, secretary general of the FIG. Her blog also indicates she was underage in Sydney. Yang, who also won a bronze medal on the uneven bars in 2000, said in a June 2007 interview that aired on state broadcaster China Central Television that she was 14 in Sydney. Gymnasts must turn 16 during the Olympic year to compete.

“I would hope that the whole world in sport realizes that the FIG is serious about these rules and the ethics and moral questions,” Gueisbuhler said. Calls to Yang and Dong’s mobile phones rang unanswered Wednesday, a national holiday, as did phone calls to the Chinese gymnastics team’s media officers.

“We are satisfied with the information provided by FIG, and we now consider the (2008) matter closed,” said Emmanuelle Moreau, spokeswoman for the International Olympic Committee. “Clearly they feel that there is more to be looked at for Sydney,” Moreau added. “We encourage them to pursue their inquiry and shed some light on these cases. We now rely on them to get to the bottom of that and get back to us.”

“Be it with the age, be it with doping, be it with judges,” Gueisbuhler said, “if we believe in fair play in sport and to be a role model for youth and we believe in the values of the Olympic movement, then I think it is our duty to be serious about it and do all we can to ensure these rules are enforced.”

The Chinese Gymnastics Team BEAT their competitors in the Olympics
Billy Beater
Finally this investigation is over, and this ugly incident is behind us. These young women and their proud country have been cleared of any wrong doing, and the sport can move forward. This should not have ever been a question in the first place, since these young women had proper documentation, but I am glad that they have been vindicated. This is an example where facts rule at the end of the day, not just popular opinion. Accusations and speculation are not enough to strip olympic medals. Let this be a lesson to all of us, to believe in the best in people, enjoy the feats, rather than question the validity.