http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/27/sports/olympics/27gymnasts.html?pagewanted=2&_r=2 "Yang Yun of China won individual and team bronze medals at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and later said in an interview on state-run television that she had been 14 at the time of those Games. A Hunan Province sports administration report also said later that she had been 14 when she competed in Sydney." As JYD posted, there's a precedent for this type of cheating by the Chinese before, so let's drop the feigned shock and indignation and just admit that it might be possible that it's going on again.
it happens all the time man. in africa, asia, europe, latin america, probably even in US. but just because it happened before, you can't just say for sure, it's happening again.
link? Why would I(or you) need link if I believe SJ is no older than 11? If you insists you need a link before believe what I believe. I may write an article on another site then link it here if you pay me for my writing. But I wouldn't think a link means a ****, really.
It is ok, I know you are just embarrased that China is clearly cheating....no biggie...I will send you a big old internet hug. DD
Maybe she is part Chinese and she got the "we look younger than every other girl on Earth" genes. That would be awesome.
whatever man. explain why SJ competed in world championships last year when she wasn't going to be 16 in the same year.
This stuff happens a lot. Just look at Tejada. But I personally don't see the importance in having an age limit.
I think most agree with you, but maybe the IOC has real reasons for implementing one? The NBA put an age limit in......maybe the IOC got jealous? DD
Agreed. I don't think anyone here is arguing for the age limit, though. The main issue is that there are rules and everyone should follow them. This includes the host country.
then i see this rule extremely unfair and only limits the Chinese team. which country would keep two teams? one for world championships and one older team for the Olympics? if the rule is unfair, why the hell should they follow it.
maybe because these younger girls were better and were chosen. who knows. anyway, i am tired and gotta work tomorrow. it's been fun talking about some weird stuff tonight.
I can't believe I just spent this long researching this. Here are the rules: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Age_controversies_in_gymnastics More sourcing: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/olympics/2007-12/04/content_6297534.htm
Wait, so the rule is only for China? Because here in the USA, we are holding back on our 14 year old stud gymnists......because we follow the rules baby. How old is Yi these days anyway? DD
OK, DD Seriously, I myself can not tell if they are 16. They look younger than the average Chinese girls, but that doesn't mean they are not 16s. A lot of girls trained at very young age. And this sport favors those who are short and biologically develop slow(I am not sure if that is the right expression, hope you understand what I mean). So, it is not really surprising that some of them look younger than they actually are. I just find it funny when that guy want people to judge those girls age by "look at them". He really lost his credibility when he says something like that as a specialist in this sport.
Too bad I missed the start of this thread. I was stating to my girlfriend when watching the competition that those girls on China's team looked 10 or 11 years old. I don't think they are of age but I won't say they aren't for sure.
Same with above poster, didn't read the entire thread, but saw the Chinese female gymnasts, and while it seems like lots of the Olympian female gymnasts are young, the female gymnasts from China's team look REALLY young. just an observation, not making any assumptions or accusations.
So, SJ's parents knew that not only was she going to be a gymnast, but that the IOC would pass a rule that would disqualify her and that therefore they would have to get their hands on a blank birth certificate JUST IN CASE. BTW, Shawn Johnson doesn't have an older sister. Unless her parents keep her locked up in the attic to keep people from asking quesitons! Of course, it all makes sense now! What color is the sky on your planet, and how did the black helicopters end up there? There's being a Devil's Advocate, then there's being contrarian to the point of sounding ignorant. Coming up with ludicrous arguments in a lame attempt to deflect attention from the issue at hand is rediculous.
