[SeraphicSorcerer]

I've been trying to catch articles and glimpses, of the "Cheating claims" about the Chinese gymnast team, does anyone have better relevant information?

Sounds to me like they should have stripped them of their medals since they caught some of them being underage but the IOC is to sissy to actually call the Chinese on it.

Any thoughts?

[Tyrsonswood]

Did anyone confirm it? Last I heard they had passports saying they were 16.... but the passports were issued last year and nobody coughed up any birth records.... since the passports matched the IOC dropped it.

[SeraphicSorcerer]

Yeah that's what I kept hearing that because the passports were valid the IOC wouldn't press it, however there were many News agencies that found chinese articles showing they weren't 16.

[Vikingod]

The funny thing is, passports are issued by the Government, so of course they are going to say they are of age. It will be tough to prove without real commitment from the IOC, but just looking at the girl in question there is no way she'll turn 16 this year. She looks a biscuit older than my eight year old. If these olympia weren't so "special" being in China and all, I think you'd probably see more of an investigation, but I doubt that is going to happen.

[SeraphicSorcerer]

And thats probably why they won't be investigates you're right, it just irks me that we have to appease the chinese. when the chinese can't even please their own people....

[SeraphicSorcerer]

Found some information
International Olympic Committee launches probe into He Kexin's age - Times Online

[Tyrsonswood]

Right on!

[[hobo]eclipse]

Google Caught Censoring Net, Says Hacker

here is another take on the situation.

[Tyrsonswood]

This doesn't suprise me.... in the end it will probably be dropped due to lack of proof. I mean in reality it's not a huge concern, age of gymnasts.... big deal. The real problem is China itself..... not the people, I've no problem with the people, it's the govenment. I don't trust their government in the least. May sound strainge to some but it's like the "war" has already started and China will win without firing a shot.

They are already making most of our technology ...... what happens when they throw that switch that turns it all off?

Just my take on things, and everybody knows my brain is tweaked...... Oh Well, We'll see..... just wait a few years.

[mkk]

I doubt they would have much need to cheat this way. Instead they could simply bring in some other gymnast of the right age that is almost as good. They have so many great ones to pick from.

[OldBuzzard]

Originally Posted by mkk

I doubt they would have much need to cheat this way. Instead they could simply bring in some other gymnast of the right age that is almost as good. They have so many great ones to pick from.

They damned sure DID need to cheat. If they would have had older girls that were good enough they would have used them, and not brought out the underaged ones.

But with the IOC being the spineless wussies they are, China will be allowed to slide, cheating will be rewarded, and playing by the rules will be penalized.

[Zelig]

Originally Posted by OldBuzzard

They damned sure DID need to cheat. If they would have had older girls that were good enough they would have used them, and not brought out the underaged ones.

This is circular logic compared to what mkk said, you're assuming that the girls actually are underage.

In any case, some good news:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/spo...ken=-679803121

[mike2h]

there is no way that girl is 16 & i believe those other 2 probably arent either. pretty much nobody in the gymnastics community believes it either from what i have been reading. nobody at the hospital that is even remotley interested believes it either(talking to doctors, nurses,& pa's). & im not talking about now, but back when they were 1st introduced. for me it was like 'wtf? i thought they had rules about that'.
& buzzard is right, if they would have had anybody that had a legit shot at getting a medal that was 16 or older the chinese would have used them just to avoid this sillyness.
i think this whole thing the chinese have got with taking girls away from their families when they are 3-5 isnt working that great for them. i think the girls are suffering mental & physical burnout by the time the reach 16-17. for whatever reason doesnt seem to be as big an issue with the boys. probably due to the chinese sexist mentality concerning male/female & the way they treat their women more than anything else. jmo.

[[hobo]eclipse]

its just slim female pickens all the way around over there

[cozumel]

It's probable they are aged 16. With the amount of hormone inhibiting drugs to stop development of breasts and dealy the onset of puberty it's extremely likely they will look underage. But then I don't think that is classified as against the rules. At least it never used to be.

The thing is, from my point of view, most of the athletes are 'cheating' in one way or another. It's either witin the rules or it's it outside IOC rules. Are you guys trying to say that the best American and Jamaican sprinters in the world aren't taking some type of performance enhancing substance or technological advantage? UK athletes do, in fact all countries do it.

Until they get back to the ethos of the best natural and talented athlete wins then that is the way it is. Good luck to them. At least it's the same for everyone and that makes it fair. (Warped and wrong but never-the-less equal for all)

Anyone athlete, national press, international media or DH poster crying cheat are just sore losers to be honest.

[OldBuzzard]

cozumel, 16 year old girls are not still losing BABY TEETH! Some of those girls aren't out of their PRE-teens, let alone being 16.

Like I said, if they would have had 16 year olds that were good enough they would have had no reason to cheat. There would have been nothing to gain.

[cozumel]

It is only an 'if' they are under 16. You don't know. You just think you know which, with respect, is completely different. But that is not the point I was making. Whether underage or not. Whether taking hormone inhibitors or not. Whether taking drugs or not. Whether using technology to gain advantage or not. All of these things are unfair and in essence constitute cheating

So if they are underage then good luck to them, as everyone else is probably cheating one way or another. To keep a level playing field it may be what they are doing. That is what makes the alleged 'cheating' of the Chinese gymnasts fair.

It is the IOC policies, objectives and corporate strategies that you should be questioning, not the validity of one nations' performance. If the IOC do nothing then we will probably have a sub 9.5 second 100m sprinter, a 100m javelin thrower and a 1:50 marathon in the very foreseeable future.

[Judas]

i've seen 30 year olds i could have sworn were 12 years old.... it's not at all uncommon.

[cozumel]

They call them 'jail-bait' Judas

[Judas]

and what are the ones that look like they are 25+ when they are only 12?

[mike2h]

cozumel, your 'honesty' is pretty sad, as is your assumption about the amount of various kinds of 'cheating'going on. not saying it aint happening, as it is. but i dont believe for a minute it is at the level you are talking about.
& pointing out something as obvious as the agre discrepancy doesnt make anybody a sore loser, especially when you consider why the rule was setup in the first place.

[cozumel]

and what are the ones that look like they are 25+ when they are only 12?

Ooh - I got that the wrong way round didn't I

[mike2h]

lol. or judas current girlfriend

[cozumel]

Originally Posted by mike2h

cozumel, your 'honesty' is pretty sad, as is your assumption about the amount of various kinds of 'cheating'going on. not saying it aint happening, as it is. but i dont believe for a minute it is at the level you are talking about.
& pointing out something as obvious as the agre discrepancy doesnt make anybody a sore loser, especially when you consider why the rule was setup in the first place.

I just don't believe that there are many honest or clean winners in sport any more. The innocence of this world died many years ago and the world of sport is merely a reflection of this loss. Some may call me a cynic, but I believe myself to be a realist and that it is others who are idealistic, seeing things from behind rose-tinted glasses

[mike2h]

im a cynic. u have my condolonces.

[swimtech]

Nonetheless, those girls have worked harder than nearly any of us can imagine - removed from their families as just toddlers (as is the practice in their country to train the best in sports - the Olympics specifically - I remember China starting this program in their country over twenty years ago...), and focused on the goal - to be the best and thereby hope to bring positive attention to their country.

Individually, with He as a prime example, I believe they deserve huge admiration for their sportsmanship and outstanding efforts.

Latest News supports the contention that they are actually within the age rules. We'll see...

Overall, these Games have been the most well presented and BS-less I have seen in decades.

[mike2h]

while their skill & dedication is undeniable, i wouldnt call removing small children from their families in the childs best interest(or someting that child desires). especially at such young ages.
all that aside the chinese have been excellent hosts & have put on an olympics that will be hard to match. if that is even possible.

[Reckless187]

Does this mean that under age Chinese kids are beat the adults? How good are they gonna be in a few more years then?

[Vikingod]

Originally Posted by Reckless187

Does this mean that under age Chinese kids are beat the adults? How good are they gonna be in a few more years then?

Won't matter, they'll be replaced by younger girls.

The way they train isn't sustainable over a more extended period of time. It shouldn't be underestimated the toll training like that takes on their bodies. Take a look at the hurdler who couldn't run in the olympics or at the comments Yao Ming made when they asked him to continue playing for the national team. I'm not against dedicated training, but the extent they do it, and considering the girls are so young, just makes me wonder if its worth it. More over, if its worth doing it to a child for a freakin gold medal.

It does open opportunities for them too, so it's not black/white. All I know is, I wouldn't let my daughters do it to that extent.

[mike2h]

Originally Posted by Reckless187

Does this mean that under age Chinese kids are beat the adults? How good are they gonna be in a few more years then?

no, the younger kids have more flexibilty & are fearless. wich is y they perform as well as they do. if u watched u would have seen the difference in the older girls versus the younger girls.
viking brought up excellent points, but left out one very important detail, what happens to the all the kids(the vast majority) that are taken from their homes, spend years doing this then dont quite make the grade? while i realise some are funneled into other areas most are sent back to their families with no real benefit that helps them in the lives they will be leading & missing years of their childhood.