| |
 |
|
|
Hobby Forum Index » Sport - Olympics » Chinese Gymnast not old enough!...
Page 1 of 1
|
| Author |
Message |
| jerry warner... |
 Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 10:54 pm |
|
|
|
Guest
|
From Times OnlineAugust 21, 2008
Hacker uncovers 'proof' that Chinese gymnast is underage
(How Hwee Young/EPA)
He Kexin after winning gold: the US team has cried foul over her age
Jane Macartney in Beijing
Latest: IOC launches investigation
A determined computer expert has delved into cached pages on the
Internet to unearth Chinese official documents showing a gymnast who
took gold, edging Britain’s Beth Tweddle into fourth place, may indeed
be underage.
Controversy over whether He Kexin, gold medallist in the uneven bars, is
under the minimum age of 16 has surrounded her participation in the
Beijing Olympics. The latest challenge over the age of the tiny Olympian
comes from the discovery through a cyberspace maze of Chinese official
documents listing her date of birth.
She certainly does not look as if she has reached the minimum competing
age of 16. However China says her passport, issued in February, gives
her birthday on January 1, 1992, and the International Olympic Committee
has said proof from her passport is good enough.
Bolt runs away with his second gold
A gifted few have claimed the sprint double of 100m and 200m, but never
before in two world record times
Usain Bolt leaves Beijing spellbound again
Usain Bolt breaks world record to win 200m
Christine Ohuruogu happy to stay in her 'bubble'
Olympics updates direct to your mobile
Put the Beijing Games in your pocket
Background
Danvers claims an unlikely bronze
Percy and Simpson make golden history
Saunders suspended by boxing chiefs
Brailsford plots further cycling success
Multimedia
Simon Barnes in Beijing
Fiercest Olympic competition? That's among sponsors
Top 100 Olympic athletes of all time
Related Links
Tweddle bid stumbles after uneven landing
Conspiracy theories as Sacramone costs US
US point to foul play after falling to silver
If incontrovertible evidence that Ms He is underage were to come to
light, Britain’s Beth Tweddle, from Cheshire, could edge up from fourth
place to bronze medal position in the uneven bars. With the end of the
Games just three days away, that now seems unlikely.
The latest unofficial investigation was carried out by 'Stryde', a
computer security expert for the New York-based Intrepidus Group, whose
site Stryde Hax revealed a detailed forensic search for Ms He’s age.
The blogger first simply tried Google, only to find that an official
listing by the Chinese sports administration that had given her age
could no longer be accessed. Next he tried the Google cache, only to
find that Ms He’s name had been removed.
So then he tried the cache of Chinese search engine Baidu. There, he
found that Baidu lists two spreadsheets in Ms He's name, both giving her
date of birth as January 1, 1994 – making her 14 years and 220 days old
and too young to compete at these Olympics.
The lists were compiled by the General Administration of Sport of China.
Even before anyone arrived in Beijing, American media investigations had
accused China of fielding three athletes below the 16-year-old minimum
age threshold. Bela Karolyi, the former US head coach, then reheated the
issue by claiming that China “are using half-people” and that their
flouting of the regulations was so obvious that “these people think we
are stupid”.
Nastia Liukin of the US finished second behind He Kexin in the uneven
bars final and would be elevated to the gold medal position should the
Chinese gymnast be disqualified.
Ms He insists that she is of age. Asked by journalists about the debate,
she said: “My real age is 16. I don’t care what other people say. I want
other people to know that 16 is my real age.” Asked how she spent her
15th birthday, she paused and then said: “I was with my team. It was an
ordinary day.”
Just nine months before the Olympics, the Chinese government’s Xinhua
news agency gave Ms He’s name as 13. Officials have since dismissed that
report saying Xinhua had never been given her age and had made a
mistake.
Stryde, who was later named by the technology news site Information Week
as Mike Walker, concludes: “Much of the coverage regarding Kexin’s age
has only mentioned ‘allegations’ of fraud, and the IOC has ignored
thematter completely. I believe that these primary documents, issued by
the Chinese state … rise to a level of evidence higher than
‘allegation’.”
It could certainly make a difference to Britain's Tweddle, who at 23 and
relatively old for a gymnast may not be able to compete in London 2012.
Have your say
In my opinion if the Chinese goverment is found to have violated the
rules and intentionally covered it up they should be punished, as I
would expect any country to be (even the US). Rules exist for a reason,
if any government or olympic committee disagrees with the rules then
fight for a change.
William, Milwaukee, USA
To all those out there who think that He should win based on the fact
that is: a. 14 years old, b. not from the USA/UK, you guys are
ridiculous.
If she is 14 she has less body weight and can do more complicated
routines, that gives her an advantage. Where's she's from has nothing to
do with it.
Heather, Richland, USA
It's amazing that by far nothing can actually PROVE that she is
underage, yet we saw lots of complaining... For some people, is it
really that hard to take that someone beats you?
Sounds like US athletes never cheat. And american athletes cheat because
US gov told them to do so. What a logic!
Keran, Loughborough,
Compared to so many overweight ladies in US, I have to say that most of
skinny Chinese girls would be considered underage. BTW, my father-in-law
living in the US got his wrong birthday date in his passport. Great
US!!!
Anna , Oringe County,
The Chinese were better, just accept it.
Christopher, MPLS MN USA,
I kind of feel sorry for He. If the allogations are true her career is
shot. They would have probably told her it was best for the country to
say she was old enough and being an impresional kid did what the adults
told her to do, for her family and her country. He will be branded as
the cheat.
Dan, San Diego,
Anyone who read Chinese can easily google and retrieve deleted Chinese
page and spread sheet originally posted on several official sports
administration site. He's age was listed as 14 and her birthday is Jan
1, 1994. There is no secret in China that everything can be fabricated.
John, New York, USA
Working for a Chinese company, I am not surprized. Lying seems to be a
way of life for the Chinese. It is getting caught that is the
embarresment. I wouldn't be surprized if some offical was given the
blame for the mistake and suddenly commited suicide.
They still have a long way to go.
Nikki, Mt. Clemens, USA
Why believe otherwise ... a country, China, that is notorious for
counterfeiting, piracy, forgery now lies about a gymnasts age. - And a
host country at that.
The real victim here is the little girl, although she (He) has no
freedom or maturity to say otherwise. Sum it - a cultural thing?
Brian, Denver,
If indeed it turns out she is underage, and DQ,
USA should take the Gold in the Team Event.
Sully, La Jolla,
You know, sometimes the media is nasty. Once Mike Phepls won 8 medals,
media starts searching his father and starts invading personal life.
Peter Truong, SJ,
Being younger is an advantage for female gymnasts, in that they are
lighter and therefore can fly about better, and they are not developed
yet (chest and hips), which can hinder movement. So, it is an advantage
to be younger - in this sport.
Kathleen Ramsey, Edmonds, USA
Unfortunately "Kexin" and "He" are not uncommon names in Chinese at all.
There could be tens of thousands of Chinese names spelled exactly as
"Kexin He". Such evidence from searching a website seems more like a
joke to me. I can make up a hundred of such "evidence" overnight if you
want.
Lawrence Wells, Knoxville, USA
So many US friends are here starting to accuse China / Chinese gov based
on some, well, rumours...
The so called "evidence" are yet another chinese webpage. If you don't
trust Chinese pages/documents why you cite them? Find some hard evidence
please!
Keran, Loughborough,
Rules are rules and therefore He should be disqualified, period.
Betty, Los Angeles,
Why is everybody ranting? Especially US residents, what US did to Iraq
is not a fair play as well. Your government forged documents and
evidence just to go to war. The world as of about a minute ago is "use
what you have to take what you want", your government did and thousands
of lives were wasted
Freddy, London, UK
I am asain and i notice that girls in UK or Australia or any other
western countries looks much orlder than their real age(at least 4 years
difference). Any explanation?
Di , Melbourne,
I think that an investigation she be done since this has come up seveal
times and aparently she lied to jurnalists on what she did on her 15th
birthday. I think if a rule is a rule, then it should be followed. Not
munipulated and run around circles saying that the person is of age when
she isn't.
Curtis, Sonora, USA
The IOC and it's political machine, will never allow an embarrassment
like this "age exception" to reflect upon themselves, nor the "host
government" of the "money making" machine that these Olympics are. The
IOC will not change their mind, for that might bring more doubt to their
judgement calls.
ron, cortland, United States of America
Aiyah........what's all the hype about? When a child is born, he/she is
already one. Yes........age ONE on the day of birth. Anyone would agree
that the baby has already spent one year in the mother's womb. This is
Chinese (and Asian) calculation and has been the case for over thousands
of year.
He Yi Peng, Shanghai, China
It's funny how the western nation (esp USA) cannot accept the reality of
-loosing jobs to asia
-loosing medals to asia
Tony, Auckland, New Zealand
You will have no problem if American won!
york, los angeles, us
Why is there an age limit? I have always thought that the best of the
best are in Olympics. Clearly, it is just a marketing bluff. At least,
the limit makes competitions more sexist. However, it also discriminates
children. Now, He is a great role model for children. What is wrong with
that?
Tero Nieminen, Helsinki, Finland
Look, I am a huge fan of the Olympics and unfortunately the games have
been tainted in recent years with loads of cheating(doping etc). There
is quite a bit of evidence here and I think its worth an investigation.
The IOC owes it to the athletes that work their butts off EVERY day to
compete fairly
Lu Lu , New York,
She won it, great.
Would she still have won if the other countries had entered their
outstanding 14-year old gymnasts?
Some say it doesn't matter, but for many of the atheletes that competed,
it's their livelihoods. Is it ok for a colleague who was hired on
questionable grounds be promoted above u?
Maryse, London,
There is no way this girl is turning 17 in 4 months. Yes she is a very
good gymnast, but the point is they cheated and lied to get that gold
medal. The scores on some of the gymnastic routines were unfair and
biased. The Chinese were def. given higher scores, even when they made a
lot of mistakes.
Lea, LA, USA
There is no way she is 16!! Her body shape is still like a child's. The
first time I saw her, I thought she was around 12! I think the truth
needs to come out......if, in fact, she is underaged, she should be
stripped of all medals. I think the IOC needs to conduct a thorough
investigation!
Kathy, kansas, usa
Cmon guys, surely people have better things to do than argue about the
olympics, it's going to be over in a week or so.
But i also agree, it doesn't matter how stupid or pointless the rule is,
it's still a rule that needs to be followed. I'm sure that they thought
about the rule when they made it.
James, Santa Clara, USA
Voting favoritism? People go from the age complaint to actually accusing
the judges of favoritism. Of course this only ever happens if an
American doesn't finish first. Don't be so ethnocentric, the world
doesn't revolve around the US and not everyone is out to get us.
Aj, Eugene, US
As a teacher of middle level students (ages 11-13), when I saw this
young lady, I thought she could not be more than 10! However, students
come in all shapes and sizes...even my tiny ones like He are not older
than 13! It's wrong. USA I am proud of you!
Lisa A Draper, Macungie, USA
I would have to agree with Mark. Get over it people! Has it ever
occurred to anyone that Asians have multiple names too... It could very
well be another person & everyone is pointing fingers already. Let's
have some "Hard evidence"! Thumbs up to her if she won the Gold.
Bobby, Sacramento, US
I have no problem seeing my countrymen lose, as long as it is on a fair
playing ground. To complain about other countries complaining is
hypocritical. Furthermore, with the mounting evidence it would be
redacting common sense not to investigate. Yes, some judged He on
opinion and rumor, who doesn't?
Michael, Washington, D.C., USA
It's about time someone looked into this. the rules are the rules and I
think most of the team should be investigated and gold medals taken
away. the judges should also be observed for voting favoritism.
Sharon, Modesto , USA
I think all countries should include anyone of any age. Therefore there
would be no controversy and no advantage to the Chinese. Sort of like
bodybuilding, where no one takes steroids, right? If the websites are
all removed, that is evidence in itself that China has something to
hide.
Sam, London, England
I'll call it "demographic doping."
Gavin, Rancho Cucamonga, USA
Yes she was indeed great. But would she have stood out so much had other
countries sent their 14 year olds? Her performance is not "gold
standard" if she has a physical advantage over the others by virtue of
her age. This is no different than doping. You won but not fairly.
Evan, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, USA
Sorry but if the rule says they have to be 16 then it applies to the
Chinese too.
Kaslin, Clarksville, USA
I think the Chinese Government's removal of all websites, news reports,
and official documents online pertaining to He is proof enough that
something is amiss.
Ian, Washington, D.C., USA
How ironic that it was the host nation that had the underage gymnist
that won the gold. She could have fallen down twice got up and screamed
I'm only 12 and the judges would still have given her the gold. Not only
is your host "nation" corrupt but so are the "judges" She wasn't even
that good.
Tim, Omaha, USA
Cudos to Miss Kexin, she has proven that age has nothing to do with
tallent. As for China ruining the games this is rediculous. Looking back
it seems that many others have had a hand in it. Marion Jones, Ben
Johnson, Judges just to name a few. China may not diserve the Gold but
she certainly does.
Mark, Graham , USA
Joe,
Have you been living in China? What rights do you have to accuse the
Chinese government??
Liane, London, UK
Obviously Joe is not living in China. He can actually make that
accusation
Johnny, Elk Horn , USA
Aren't rules in place to follow them?
michelle, we are trying to prove that there is no place in this sport
for cheaters. I blame both her and her gvnt for dishonoring the sport.
Being a gymanst u also should feel the sting. If it were my country, and
i knew the truth, i would feel dishonored. IMO.
pat , Boston, USA
Jacinta, being young is not an impediment when competing in gymnastics.
Younger gymnasts have smaller and lighter bodies and are less likely to
have suffered a major injury yet. (Many serious injuries occur when
gymnasts undergo a growth spurt and have not adjusted to their new
physiques yet.)
Ellen , Columbus, USA
I had to post again, there was some guy on here named "Ed" that said,
"Age or even steroid use - a winner is a winner" and I'd just like to
point out how extremely stupid that statement is.
All the other gymnasts can work their tails off for years, only to be
beaten by someone who's drugged? Crazy.
Tod, Miami,
This demonstrates that the totalitarian communist Chinese, like Adolf
Hitler in 1936, are convinced that the number of medals that they win is
a measure of the superiority of their race and form of government. That
is a dangerous and corrupt concept.
Kevin Finnerty, Atlanta, USA
Here is the point-USA girls& British girls(or any other cntry)could have
LIED & competed in '04 Olympics when they were 12/13 (& were likely
BETTER),but they followed the rules and waited till they were 16+in
2008.Not sour USA grapes.I feel just as bad for Brit/USSR/etc who played
fair & lost to PRC
Hank , Dallas, TX, USA
I also think that it is cheating at the highest because they obviously
know being a bit younger has its big advantages, so they knew they can
challenge the rule or get it changed to 13 but they clearly cheated
anyway (even if they tried to change it) knowing no other country would
have 14 yr olds
Melissa, ct, USA
lets see . . .the opening ceremony light show on tv was computer
generated . . . the singer was lip syncing . . and surprised they'd lie
about the gymnasts ages. seriously.
Lori, edinburgh,
I have been to China many times. My wife is a Chinese national. She has
a false date on her passport because her parents wanted her to start
school a year earlier and had her birth certificate changed. Rules in
gymnastics apply to EVERYONE, and the Chinese cheated on the rules.
Period.
Tim, Atlanta, USA
The Chinese cheated and it is a shame that IOC will not investigate
further. Tweedle deserves the bronze. The other athletes who subscribed
to the rules need to be
honored by stripping the medal(s) away from those who violated the
rules. Rules are rules.
juanito, NYC, USA
WHY in the world is HE being allowed to break the rules?? Why can't
other countries then enter underage gymnasts?! What a farce! The Olympic
Committee needs to investigate this type of thing or it will continue to
occur. NOT FAIR to honest gymnasts/countries following the rules.
reeny, milwaukee, usa
Why are you people so jealous? I am a gymnast myself, and my flexibility
has not changed one bit! The many gymnasts I know are sometimes just as
small as He, even smaller and they are at the age of 17/18! She won,
leave her be and don't blame the Chinese government.What are u really
trying to prove?
Michelle, Cape Town, South Africa
Further more... for all you believers in Peoples Repub of Cheaters,why
all the efforts from the highest levels of China's govmt to control PAST
websites/cached files & all internet info on their gymnasts in
question?I am sure u will make an excuse for that too,forsaking all
those who competed fairly
Hank , Dallas, TX, USA
If this was turned around and happened to us or the Aussies, or better
yet, the Americans, the whole world would have a fit. The olympic
committee would have been investigated and probably stripped the medals
already. And those who disagree with stripping China would be the ones
screaming the most
Steve, Ripon, UK
She did a great job there is no doubt.
It is a big deal when you have to cheat to win...For anyone to have to
cheat/lie...in ANY country.
I don't understand why more aren't upset about it.
If you can't follow the rules/regulations than you shouldn't be able to
play.COMMON SENSE.
Jenny, St. Paul, USA
Looks like a lot of folks are having sour grapes today. I'd feel the
same if I exported all of my country's jobs to China and imported way
too much of their junk... getting into national debts in the process.
The gold medal thing is just more salt for some gaping sensitized
wounds.
Kenneth, Bangkok, Thailand
You know the worst part? Nobody wants to "win" based on the
disqualification of someone else. The eligible girls are suffering
either way. SOME people think it's fair the girls are underage and think
the "losers" are whining. Who's pathetic? Rules are rules and it's low
to defend cheaters.
melissa, CT, USA
If she had come 4th I wonder would anyone have bothered about her age,
ernie t, doncaster, south yorkshire
What a bunch of idiots! Marion Jones cheated, got caught, and went to
jail in addition to loosing her medals. Anyone who says the rules don't
matter is stupid. The medals should be taken away from the Chinese and
the country should be banned from Olympic competition next year.
Rick, KC, USA
She did not cure cancer. She did not end world hunger. She did not give
aid to the victims of the Chinese earthquake. In the grand cosmos she di
nothing that is of any real importance. Sports is the opiate of the
masses and the world takes it much too seriously.
Bruce Northwood, Washington, D.C., USA
Lam,
It does matter and that was why the word "rules" was created. It clearly
states that you have to be 16 to compete. If they did not like the rule,
they should have challenged it a long time ago.
Jennifer, Augusta, USA
"Evidence and proof are two entirely different things."
Sounds like a new Chinese proverb.
Mary Catherine, Elmhurst, USA
If she is truly only 14 then that makes her gold medal-winning
performance all the more outstanding and well-deserved.
Jacinta, London , UK
The olympics are supposed to be about who is the best in the world. We
saw that a 14 year old is the best in the world. However, she wasn't
competing against other 14 year olds. If all the countries could have
had younger gymnasts, then it would have been a level playing field.
Andy, Cheating, China
Cheating is not a problem in China - it is a basic part of their
culture. Both in sports and business.
It is only a western concept - this concept of fairness.
You decide.
Fred, Cape Town, SA
Well, I'm a dentist from the UK and the premolar and canine teeth are
both usually fully erupted at the age of 12!
john, manchester, uk
I am a dentist in China and based on her smile, she is definitely 13-14.
erin, miami, usa
As a parent of o former gymnast who competed against Nastia in her
younger days and whose daughter spent 14 plus years as a gymnast, I am
disgusted that China would have to cheat in order to proove a supremacy
in international gymnastics. I hope USAG & IOC get the cheaters
disqualified .
robert, phoenix, USA
Evidence and proof are two entirely different things.
She won it. Leave her be.
Richard Crow , Warsaw, Poland
Even if she was 14, does it matter? Her performance was a Gold and then
you have to ask were the others up to the challenge? Nope...
Simply put she earned her gold and beat the others, less sour grapes and
more kudos.
Lam, Wolves, UK
You don't have to be an amateur gymnast to compete in the Olympics. Most
of the Americans accept money for appearances meaning they are not able
to compete NCAA (college level sport) but are still elligable for the
games. Besides,, gymnastics is not rich, powerful or glamorous, it's
just hard work!
Katie, Liverpool, UK
It is appalling how many people here have stated that "rules don't
matter." Yes, the Chinese gymnast turned in a beautiful performance, but
she is not qualified to participate in the Olympics or any other
FIG-sanctioned event. By the rules, she should be stripped of her gold
medal.
John, Seneca, USA
It is significant that Chinese officials are saying that He was sixteen
on January 1, 2008. It appears they are using the old lunar calendar
under which a baby was one year old on the day he was born and two years
old on January 1 of the following year, even if the baby was born the
day before.
Bill, Westminster, USA
I'm a dentist in the US and based on He Kexin's smile showing the
position of her canine and premolar teeth I believe she is 16 years of
age.
gary, Fleming Island, US
The rules are there because younger gymnasts are more flexible and carry
less body weight - therefore, greater power to weight ratio (advantage),
but it's also to protect their young bodies from excessive training that
may damage them or cause deformation in the long term. Totally fair and
necessary
Gemma, Notts,
Well, is it more of an advantage to be under 16 in gymnastics?
If so, why restrict the age limit to 16 & over. Why not start at 12?
ian cheese, london, uk
Jamal:
Marion Jones was stripped of her medals and the US did nothing to cover
this up. If this girl is underage the Chinese government, as well as
her, are in on the cover up. I realize that this is a matter of national
pride, but the integrity of the games is more important.
Geoff, Dublin, Ireland
Diving is different because divers do not have to support their own body
weight at any point - they fall due to gravity so it does not matter how
heavy they are - they just need to be flexible & strong enough to do the
moves. In gymnastics, strength to weight ratio is key - especially the
bars!!
Gemma, Notts,
Surely it would be more impressive that an underage competitor won gold,
not that I support the accusation.
Daniel, Woodstock, England
Isn't it high time that we acknowledged that all sport effectively has
no rules/regulations whenever it suits the rich/powerful/glamorous? I
for one abhore all professional 'sport' (including almost all olympic
events : How is being 'sponsored' to train 7 days a week 'amateur'?)
Eric Skelton, Cardiff, Wales
She did look very young while competeing
Laura , Edinburgh, Scotland
Looks like the Aussies and Yanks have something in common.
Move on!
Howard, Manchester,
The attitude of Londoners is suprising. I am from New York, where we
must follow the rules or be disqualified. If it doesn't matter, then
don't have rules. Criticizing English media borders on the preposterous,
as the alternative is to not report such matters to the public at all.
Rick Morgan, New York, USA
Saint Augustine doubted whether even God could make 2 plus 2 equal 5.
The Chinese government can make 13 plus 1 equal 16. It thinks it is more
powerful than God.
Frank Upton, Solihull,
Can't wait until 2012... When she hits puberty!
Tonya, Charlotte, US
Commentator Mike, Bristol - Ancient Greece only gave us the word, not
actual democracy. They had a slave economy.
As for the article - someone has cheated at the Olympics, how boring.
KR, Stockport,
Age should not really count, it's the skills that should count. Well
done to the Chinese girl.
jayil, london, uk
Brilliant idea Ross - why don't the Olympic Games just stay in one place
such as Athens. That would avoid all our money being poured down the
drain for a 2 week event! Moving the venue around like this is just
pointless - a waste of money and no significant long term regeneration!
Richard Williams, Manchester, UK
This is by far the bitterest Olympic I have ever seen. Please stand down
from the moral "we are so much more righteous than you " high ground.
It's beginning to sound desperate.
Steve, London,
OMG.
1. Why would the Chineese govn. do this??
2. The UK (try to be conveyed as English team) is only kicking a fuss
about this because they could get a bronze medal.
3. I guarantee this isn't true and that the terribly 'simple' English
public and press are making a big deal out of nothing
Mark, Dublin, Ireland
Thanks Steve, Ken & Bobbi but I don't think any of you have answered my
question. Yes the body is more flexible at 14, yes I understand the
physics but diving requires flexibility & strength too. Can a female
dive at 14? Can a male gymnast compete at 14 or is there an age limit
for the boys too?
Stuart, Sutton Coldfield, UK
pathtic! my and my friend were watching this event He Kexin was in. i've
never heard of her before, but you could just tell a mile off she was
around the age of 14-15.
this isn't news at all and how nobody elsed noticed is just laughable.
well done He Kexin, what a talent.
richard, gibralter,
By Chinese calendar, she is 1 year older !
D. Benoit, London,
sour grapes
Matt, Houston, USA
Joe,
Have you been living in China? What rights do you have to accuse the
Chinese government??
Liane, London, UK
Check http://www.releaseinternational.org/
and http://sb.od.org/
Might be an eye-opener!!
C.B.Ross, Motherwell, Scotland
if she is 16 i am 482, its rediculous that the chinese gov think they
can get away with this, especially after they talked so much about
combating drug use,they will bring shame on themselves and be laughed at
for thinking we are so stupid.
nick bacon, london,
Shawn Johnson of USA doesnt look a day over 13 even though she is 16.
Should people make a stink about that? USA lost to better athletes and
their own mistakes (that one US gymnist falling off the balance beam in
the team event).
Jamal, Great Falls, USA
Its funny how we here in USA talk ucheating when one of our greatest
olympians, Marion Jones, admittied to cheating.
Jamal, Great Falls, USA
If team GB could produce an athete of 14 15 with the talent this girl
obviously has then i guess we wouldn;t be GB - we'd be china.. We've
done alright though The Cycling & sailing were top stuff. The USA cried
foul when the Jamaicans beat them in the 100m womens. Take your ball
home USA?
Karl, Leeds, England
Who Issues the passport with the false age on?
Is this corruption at governmental level?
They should be banned from competing in the 2012 in that category!
The lengths the Chinese will go to, to be the best is silly and
immature... like the girl who won gold!
Andrew, Furham, England
To Stuart and Aaron,
In gymnastics being under 16 presents an unfair advantage, as younger
girls are more flexible.
Thus Tom Daleys age is irrelevant to his diving, and a 14 year old girl
is only 'good enough' compared to others, not IOC permitted 16+ girls.
Rich, Cambridge,
You don't understand that having an underage gymnast in female
gymnastics is an advantage over other teams. Younger female gymnasts are
more flexible and lighter giving them an unfair advantage over thier
older counterparts. The rule is there for a reason.
Alex, London, UK
Cheating is cheating. This is no less than using chemicals to enhance
performance. She should be stripped of the medal and enrolled in the
Barry Bonds school of chemical enhancement.
Rick Lattimer, Swifton, USA
Note well how the Western media hastens to expose Chinese deception, yet
cooperates full-heartedly with the deceptions of their own governments.
Wait for the Chinese to return the complement. The US and UK governments
have skeletons aplenty just waiting to fall out of the cupboard.
Andrew Milner, Karuizawa, Japan
I agree with aaron.....
The rules don't matter.
She won that's what counts.
Age or even Steroid use - the winner is the winner.
We all know about these communist and former communist countries anyway.
No surprises.
Ed, Atlanta, US
The age rule is silly, but it is the rule. China is corrupt. That has to
be dealt with. Why isn't the international gymnastics federation
investigating?! The IOC never should have given China the '08 games.
It's still repressing its people, squashing journalists, and breaking
the rules.
Jill, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
The Chinese government have made it clear to everyone...this is their
Games & what they say & do goes ! It was the crime of the century when
the IOC award the Games to this regime !
John, Melbourne, Australia
Joe,
Have you been living in China? What rights do you have to accuse the
Chinese government??
Liane, London, UK
The rules for gymnastics are different because the body is far more
flexible before the age of 16 naturally. Several countries were sending
younger and younger competitors into the competition and exploiting
them. They are also judged on flexibility-
Bobbi, Sydney, Australia
Stuart (Sutton Colfield): It's basic physics. The smaller you are the
greater your strength to weight ratio, and the easier it is to overcome
inertia and generate speed without momentum. This gives a massive
advantage in gymnastics. Hence the lower age ban. As for diving - it's a
moot point.
Ken Leyland, Liverpool, U.K.
Gymnastics is a bigger world event than diving and in its history has
had alligations of abuse regaurds its female participants. Diving
however has less national pressure on it and a more supportive coach
history. Therefore Daley is not subject to age rules.
Steve, newport,
16,14 or 50 she won the gold medal. That is what counts. I am sure
Tweddle would take no satisfaction from winning a medal on a
technicality. If you are good enough, you are old enough – the Chinese
have just sidestepped a silly rule.
aaron, london,
If the Chinese have conspired to evade IOC rules, then surely they have
committed a breach as serious as condoning drug taking, and so should
lose not only this medal, but perhaps all gymnastic ones?
Giles Falconer, Sleaford, UK
In China you are however old the government says you are! A generation
back we had Soviet fermale athletes who looked surprisingly male. The
government in those days also decided your sex!
Joe, Baltimore, USA
Why are the rules in gymnastics different to diving?
We are celebrating the fact that Tom Daley is only 14 yet Kexin is
having to deny the rumour that she too is only 14.
Seems odd to me that a 14 year old boy is ok to compete but a 14 year
old girl isn't especially as girls tend to mature earlier
Stuart, Sutton Coldfield, UK
I'm starting to lose any faith in the games as a whole. Why can't it
just stay in Athens - it would eliminate all this ridiculous and
expensive posturing from the host nations, and allow us to spend money
where it's really needed.
Ross Liversidge, Ripon, UK
somebody or one nation just can't accept other beat them
Andy, Medan, Indonesia
I don’t know why, but this is the last straw for me. The Chinese have
disgraced the Olympics. Without Usian Bolt to take away the headlines
they would now be in a complete mess of their own making. They should
never have been allowed the Games, an event which began in the country
that gave us democracy. IOC greed and Chinese ego have ruined the
Olympics.
Mike, Bristol, UK,
Chinese government decide Kexin's age in her passport. Of course she is
obviously under 16, but Chinese goverment has the absolute right to
decide her age. This is the real game.
Ming, London, UK
Read all 119 comments
Have your say
Have your say
300 characters left
* Name
* Email
* Town
Country
* Required
Remember me
Terms and conditions
PrintEmailPost to del.icio.usPost to FarkPost to Yahoo!Post to Digg
Also in Olympics
Commentary: why so upset about He Kexin? For the US little matters more
International Olympic Committee launches probe into He Kexin's age |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
| Andy P. Jung... |
| Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2008 12:04 am |
|
|
|
Guest
|
The Chinese like to inflate their ages. They are considered 1 year old at
birth.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soong_May-ling#Childhood
Age is prestige in Asian sociteies and the elderly are given respect.
I was born on November 30 in Taipei, Taiwan, Republic Of China (NOT Chinese
Taipei) and I was 1 year old
I think that Chinese people also add another year at the Chinese New Year so
I was considered 2 years old about 2 months after being born.
I was a bit POed when I immigrated to the United States and I was informed
that I was no longer 8 years old but only 6 years old.
--
Andy P. Jung
Metairie, Louisiana U.S.A.
(on the Western side of the now infamous 17th Street Canal)
http://www.JungWorld.com/
To reply via e-mail, please visit my web site. |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
| Andy P. Jung... |
| Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2008 12:17 am |
|
|
|
Guest
|
"Andy P. Jung" < at (no spam) .> wrote in message
news:jNrrk.3060$9u1.2610 at (no spam) newsfe09.iad...
Quote: The Chinese like to inflate their ages. They are considered 1 year old at
birth.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soong_May-ling#Childhood
Age is prestige in Asian sociteies and the elderly are given respect.
I was born on November 30 in Taipei, Taiwan, Republic Of China (NOT
Chinese Taipei) and I was 1 year old
I think that Chinese people also add another year at the Chinese New Year
so I was considered 2 years old about 2 months after being born.
I was a bit POed when I immigrated to the United States and I was informed
that I was no longer 8 years old but only 6 years old.
BTW, can anybody in China check to see if this page is blocked or not even
though it doesn't get many hits, thank you.
http://www.jungworld.com/rants/people.htm
--
Andy P. Jung
Metairie, Louisiana U.S.A.
(on the Western side of the now infamous 17th Street Canal)
http://www.JungWorld.com/
To reply via e-mail, please visit my web site. |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
| |
|
Page 1 of 1
All times are GMT - 5 Hours
The time now is Fri Nov 21, 2008 11:52 am
|
|