Are Chinese Gymnasts Underage?

Records Say They Are; Chinese Deny Allegations

Day by day, the wheels seem to be falling off the Beijing Olympics. Now, in addition to the admission that the "firecracker steps" through Beijing to the Olympic stadium were pre-recorded and digitally enhanced, and that a nine-year-old girl, Lin Miaoke, didn't really sing at the opening of the Olympic Games, comes word that the female Chinese gymnastics team may be underage.

In an article by Liu Zhen of Reuters, which was reported in the National Post as well as other sources, accusations are being made that the Chinese gymnasts are underage. The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) rules indicate that athletes must be 16 or turning 16 during the Olympic year.

According to the Reuters story, investigations by the United States media show online registration records that say Yang Yilin was 14. This is on the heels of two teammates, He Kexin and Jiang Yuyuan, being accused of being underage as well.

Bela Karolyi, the U.S. Women's Gymnastics coach, is furious, indicating what China has done is to slap the world in the face.

It really isn't surprising what China has done since their logic is pretty much "the ends justify the means." What is amazing are their responses. Even though state-run China Central Television (CCTV) said Yang Yilin was 14, when queried, China just said the television report was wrong.

However, for true backwards thinking, consider this statement by an unnamed Chinese official, according to Reuters: "(Yang's age) is not an issue at all since the gymnastics team is already staying in the Olympic Village. That indicates all our gymnasts are eligible." That is like saying because you're sitting in a car, you have a drivers' license.

In 1986, the Olympic Committee decided professional athletes could enter the Games in an effort to get the very best athletes from around the world. Prior to 1986, only amateur athletes could vie for medals. It was during this period there were constant accusations with respect to athletes being "pro" and it was particularly difficult because being pro usually meant something different in each country.