IOC To Launch Probe Into Chinese Olympic Gymnastics Team
And might I add, it’s about time, although it sounds pretty anemic. “Launching a probe”? Sounds like a medical procedure. Maybe they need a headoutofbuttectomy.
The International Olympic Committee, that bastion of all things Olympic, has finally decided that perhaps it was time to stop taking China’s word for everything and try to figure out what is really going on in women’s gymnastics:
An IOC official told The Times that because of “discrepancies” that have come to light about the age of He Kexin, the host nation’s darling who won gold in both team and individual events, an official inquiry has been launched that could result in the gymnast being stripped of her medals.
The investigation was triggered as a US computer expert claimed yesterday to have uncovered Chinese government documents that he says prove she is only 14 – making her ineligible to compete in the Olympics – rather than 16, as officials in Beijing insist is her age.
Mike Walker, a computer security expert, told The Times how he tracked down two documents that he says had been removed from a Chinese government website. The documents, he said, stated that He’s birth date was January 1 1994 – making her 14 – and not January 1 1992, which is printed in her passport. [...]
[...] The ages of two other team members have also aroused suspicion: Jiang Yuyuan and Yang Yilin. Time magazine reported that government records, that have since disappeared, showed both girls to be 14. Gymnasts must be 16 to compete.
The controversy has been swirling aroud even before the games began, giving the IOC and FIG plenty of time to act before the first competitor took to the apparatus; however, blind eyes were turned, as Dawn has said, presumably to avoid offending the host country of China. Because, after all, people will let you break the rules if you totally have a tantrum if you get caught.
And despite what anyone wants to claim, the documents that were found were posted on a state-run website, by the General Administration Of Sport Of China, not on some rinky-dink page by a pimply-faced geek:
The man who uncovered the allegations about the underage athlete told The Times that he was not even a sports a fan, but decided to investigate the issue to determine if Chinese authorities were lying. He eventually discovered that two Excel spreadsheets on the Chinese government’s official sports website – www.sport.gov.cn – that mentioned her name had recently being removed.
“There was a conclusion here,” Mr Walker said. “These documents existed, on a state-wide website, and now they don’t exist, and this change has taken place recently. I was interested because these were documents that no-one could find. If there’s information to be found on the internet I’m a citizen journalist – it was a challenge.”
He turned to a Chinese search engine, Baidu. In its cache he found both documents. “The listing in there, quite clearly, is He Kexin’s birth date, January 1, 1994,” Mr Walker said.
Plus, for all who claim He Kexin is unaware of the duplicity:
He insists that she is old enough to compete. 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.”
Now, I want to make clear, she may in fact be forced to say this by her government, because she is in fear for some reason. We don’t know, because like all things from China, it is shrouded in mystery. Quite honestly, I feel for the girl…to be used as a pawn for nationalistic pride. Unlike our gymnasts, she has to say what is put into her mouth. And this is not bigotry against the Chinese. So understand, this is in no way a personal attack on the young lady or her nationality, but on sport in China, subtle cheating and bold-faced lies, and the censoring of news.
Not only have there been questions about the age of some of China’s gymnasts, but there is also controversy swirling around the judging of the competitions, with on-air commentators openly wondering at how gymnasts who fall and who do not stick landings were still awarded high scores. If judging in ice skating is algebra, judging in gymnastics is trigonometry…also, it is wildly subjective while at the same time being tightly controlled. It has been suggested that the judges in question did not have the experience required to judge gymnastics at an Olympic level, which could account for some of the marks…but even I know that certain errors are certain tenths of a point off, even accounting for the difficulty rating. Perhaps they blinked or had something in their eye and missed crucial moments.
And I have to point out once again that this is not a question of being sore losers because we took the silver medal. This is a question of following the rules as they are laid out by the IOC. All competitors and coaches take an oath that they will compete fairly and will follow the rules. So that is all out the window if you’re the host nation with a history of atrocities against your own people? It seems to me that if you are underage, then you are ineligible to compete, and a tenth of a point deduction for a mistake should be for all teams. All anyone is asking for is for each and every team to follow the rules as they are laid out.
Was the Chinese gymnastic team better than the other teams? Possibly…but then again, they did have a bit of help from the judges, receiving higher scores for routines that should have had deductions. Yes, the US team messed up big on some things, but so did the Chinese. This isn’t a question of who is better…we have a junior high football player who is better than some of our high school players, but he can’t play on the high school team because, say it with me, it’s against the rules. We have to wait until he is eligible to play.
This is also not about how “young” or “old” the gymnasts look, although I will once again point out that there are certain characteristics to the bone structure of preteens, teens, and adults, and it is pretty obvious that some of these so-called sixteen-year-olds are not sixteen based on this criteria. They can appear young in the face, but there are certain other marks of age you just cannot hide or have a harder time covering up. And this is also not about whether one agrees or disagrees with the age rule…some think fourteen or even younger should be eligible to compete, some think sixteen is just right (I personally would move it up to eighteen, but then I am all for children having a childhood and not frittering it away in a gym). You can disagree with the rules all you want, but the fact is that disagreeing won’t change anything. In high school sports, if you have one ineligible player play in a game, and it is found out after the fact, the whole game is forfeited and the entire team is punished. So this is different how?
I can disagree with the rule that tells me I have to go a certain MPH on a certain stretch of road, since my car is super cool and faster than my neighbor’s, and I can surreptitiously break that rule every chance I get. But sooner or later I’ll get caught and punished. Why? Because I broke the rules. Rules are rules whether we agree with them or not and if we break them we will pay the consequences.
The IOC asked Paul Hamm to return his medal after their judges made a mistake. The IOC made Sale and Pelletier share a gold medal with the Russians when a judging scandal was unearthed. The IOC was going to take the word of China (well-known for their openness and truthfulness) and hope this all blew over. Yeah, fat chance. Way to underestimate teh powah of de internets!
You can follow GlossLip’s continuing coverage of this story here.
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a screen-shot from an internet browser showing her age as 14 is not conclusive since it can easily be the result of using PhotoShop. you can say whatever you want about how the Chinese took down and/or modified the webpage, but what would be the chance that IOC will use any of these words as evidence?
an old passport issued more than 2 years ago is a definitive evidence. it would prove any documents that saying otherwise as mistakes at best, or forged at worst. if the Chinese can present her old passport showing the claimed age, then that’s the end of discussion. it makes no sense for the Chinese to say she was born in 1992 on that passport, while at the same time list her as born in 1994 on some webpage.
do more training, drop fewer batons, stop whining.
Comment by silencetigger — August 22, 2008 @ 12:37 pm
You can easily tell if a screenshot is Photoshopped. They have software which can detect the changes. Besides, until the caches are dropped, you can go take a look for yourself.
A passport issued two years ago is a definitive nothing, especially in China. They wouldn’t think twice about forging a passport if it gave them the edge.
And those of you who still believe this is sour grapes are missing the point.
Comment by k — August 22, 2008 @ 1:04 pm
@silencetigger – I believe that the Chinese government knew they were going to be hosting the Olympics in 2008…so “an old passport issued more than 2 years ago” cannot be definitive evidence…Do you think the Chinese are stupid? They would have been making these preparations years ago, including the forgery of documents in order to have a better chance of winning.
BTW…are you aware that gymnastics and relay racing are different sports? Stick to the topic…
In America, we believe that breaking the rules warrants some form of punishment, and that’s all we’re wanting. That’s not whining, that’s justice.
Comment by Abeccareb — August 22, 2008 @ 1:30 pm
the issue here is fairness…even playing field. that’s what the olympics are about. it seems strange that on one hand the IOC is all over drug testing to prevent unfair advantages for athletes, yet in a sport where age itself can be an advantage, they conduct a 3-hour search and it’s over. if any of the girls on the team are indeed underage, the IOC has basically just told china that it’s ok to break the rules to win. and what will keep them from doing it in the future? or any other country, for that matter? we’re turning the olympics into a joke.
Comment by tiffany — August 22, 2008 @ 3:47 pm
Can we use DNA test as a proof like any athlete using steroid to be tested?
Comment by Peter Wang — August 22, 2008 @ 7:34 pm
Who cares if she’s only 14?
it only goes to prove further what a remarkable athlete He Kexin is. The fact remains – she was the BEST gymnast in the world at the Beijing games, regardless of her age. Pure talent should always come before bureaucracy.
Stop whining America and accept it.
Comment by Melissa — August 23, 2008 @ 4:00 am
Sorry, I think the Olympics are and always will be a terrible waste of money. Who cares who is the fastest, the strongest? ect… all this money spent should go towards fighting cancer,world hunger, Darfur, global warming,alternative fuel sources, or the many other problems we have. I understand these athletes work hard, but why do we have to have contests?
Not trying to be un Amercian here, but times have changed and we need to focus on the bigger picture here in the US and worldwide, and not spend money on who can swim the fastest or play tabble tennis the best. Just seems silly and frivilous in these hard times.
And a little off subject….don’t get me started on Sports and what atheletes and actors get paid and also what politicians get paid. I understand we all need and enjoy entertainment and need politicians, but come on…… these people get paid WAY TOO much.
Comment by Money Can Be Better Spent — August 23, 2008 @ 8:38 am
I love it when the internet hackers of the world come together to expose and international conspiracy. Kudos that that due that found the old images in Google cache. I really like the guy on http://www.tinfoilonmyhead.com, he’s great!
Comment by Phil Jansen — August 23, 2008 @ 12:46 pm
#7: As much as I enjoy my sports, I do agree with most of what you said. These people are not curing cancer. Same goes for actors, movie stars, musicians, and celebutards.
But then, not everybody can cure cancer or find alternative fuels. Some people are good at sports, and I believe watching sports can serve as a reprieve from the problems that face all of us…a bit of a break, a mini-vacation. As long as we don’t forget the bigger picture, I think sports, as well as all entertainment, has its place.
I’m not for canceling the Olympics, but this compulsion people have to outdo the former host country is ridiculous. Take a current look at the arenas built for the Athens games for proof that the idea of properly managing money is lost on some people.
Comment by k — August 23, 2008 @ 1:43 pm
sure the Chinese may be better but they are also smaller because they are like 12. Even if they are better they shouldn’t be in games until they are eldigble its like using steroids.
Comment by L — August 23, 2008 @ 6:23 pm
6# Apparently, the IOC cares, as well as numerous other countries participating. If they didn’t it would be BAD for the Olympics and would encourage other countries to break the rules as such.
The rules state that ALL athletes MUST BE 16! It DOES NOT MATTER IF SHE *IS* THE BEST at 14. The age limit exists for a reason. It has NOTHING to do with bureaucracy and EVERYTHING to do with PLAYING FAIR and setting an example for other future Olympic hopefuls and athletes out there. Are you saying that it’s perfectly acceptable for athletes to cheat? Do you have ANY IDEA how many THOUSANDS of people have worked hard for YEARS to come CLOSE to qualifying for the Olympics? Some of them try out for YEARS before even being considered and even then, there’s no guarantee they’ll be accepted.
Taking part in the Olympics is more than a great honor and privilege. They also have a responsibility to all those watching who look up to and admire them. A responsibility to both be a good sport and to PLAY FAIR.
Comment by A Watcher — August 23, 2008 @ 10:43 pm
what’s so unfair about a child competing alongside experienced adult thletes?
steriods are unfair this is not.
Comment by Melissa — August 23, 2008 @ 10:54 pm
A Watcher: THANK YOU. I’ve been saying that all along but some people just don’t get it. I’m so happy to see that there are people, as evidenced by the comments on this subject, who DO get it.
IF they are not eligible for whatever reason then they CANNOT PARTICIPATE. Period. End of subject.
We have an 8th grader playing football who is better than some of our high school players, but the rules state that he cannot play high school football. IF he did, the whole team would suffer because they would take any wins we had while he was on the team away. We have some varsity players who are having to serve a suspension for a few games. IF they were to play, same thing…the whole team would have their wins taken from them. It doesn’t MATTER what the rules are, you follow the rules.
Now, if somebody wants to say they don’t agree with the rule, that’s a different discussion altogether and should be debated accordingly. If somebody doesn’t want to agree with me, I’m good with that. But to say it’s okay for an ineligible athlete to compete just because they are super good…well, why do we even have rules to start with?
I really despair when I read some comments.
Comment by k — August 23, 2008 @ 11:18 pm
“what’s so unfair about a child competing alongside experienced adult thletes? steriods are unfair this is not. Comment by Melissa”
1. This site has explained the advantages of younger Gymnast’s, in case you missed it, there was this gem at the bottom of THIS CURRENT post, before you clicked on comments:
“You can follow GlossLip’s continuing coverage of this story here.” <– the here is red as in a link.
2. I’ll state briefly, The issue is contentious because younger gymnasts have training advantages.
They have what is known in the sport as a higher strength-to-weight ratio, meaning they can move more freely on the various apparatus and spend many more hours training.
The age limit was introduced after Nadia Comanechi’s astonishing performances in 1976, when, as a 14-year-old, she became the first gymnast to score a perfect 10 for a routine.
3. Really, nothing else matters other than RULES ARE THERE FOR A REASON AND MUST BE FOLLOWED. If you couldnt get it from this entire post by K, I give.
Comment by Gradyman0 — August 24, 2008 @ 1:41 am
“The age limit was introduced after Nadia Comanechi’s astonishing performances in 1976, when, as a 14-year-old she became the first gymnast to score a perfect 10 for a routine”…
Well, obviously the rules should be revised allowing the entry age at 14.
When I watch The Olympics I want to see the best athletes in their respective fields. Watching He Kexin at Beijing this year was sublime – her performance was something else.
Oh, and can all you righteous Americans stop talking to me in capitals just so you can make a point? It REALLY IS QUITE ANNOYING.
Comment by Melissa — August 24, 2008 @ 2:28 am
Age limits…I included this in an earlier story:
They raised the age limit from 14 to 16 for two reasons…the stress put on a child’s body to compete at an Olympic level, and the stress put on a child’s psyche to compete at an Olympic level. They were trying to lessen the stresses to both. Also, the new scoring system allows higher points to more difficult routines, and it is thought that older athletes can better cope with the physical demands, not to mention the mental demands. Although, I am of the opinion that even 16 is too young and the competitors, regardless of sport, should be 18 or older…but that’s my opinion only and isn’t really important to this story.
So once again, I reiterate: RULES are RULES. Whether you agree with them or not, one must FOLLOW THE RULES if one WANTS TO COMPETE. Period. Why is that so hard for people to get? Whether or not He was better or not than any gymnast on the floor is not the point. If she was so great, why couldn’t she have waited four years and blew us all away with her mad skillz, legally?
And CAPITALS are sometimes necessary to emphasize a point. As a writer here, I can also use italics or bold (and so can anyone else with a basic knowledge of HTML), but sometimes I don’t feel like putting forth the extra effort for people who don’t pay attention anyway. If the capital letters are too loud for you, try covering your eyes with your hands.
Comment by k — August 24, 2008 @ 2:42 am
Melissa said, ‘Well, obviously the rules should be revised allowing the entry age at 14.’
So the Olympic committee should allow a GOVERNMENT-BACKED COVER UP, by the HOST COUNTRY, no less, slide because an ILLEGALLY ENTERED ATHLETE did well?
That’s another thing you seem to be overlooking; the Chinese government FORGED DOCUMENTS stating He Kexin was sixteen, when she is, in fact, fourteen. That they did this goes beyond wrong; it flouts the rules put in place in the name of fairness and DEGRADES the Olympics. The fact that the government lied about her age is the LEAST of this. The Chinese government knowingly and willfully BROKE THE RULES to gain an edge and for the sake of, as stated before ‘nationalistic pride’. How, pray tell, is this acceptable? It’s NOT. That sort of behavior on part of the host country is DEPLORABLE.
And Melissa? I’m pretty sure it’s more than ‘righteous Americans’ who are upset (of which you seem not to be). It wouldn’t surprise me that other countries would be raising Hell about this flagrant disregard for the rules, too.
And really, even IF the rules about age are changed to lower it (which I DOUBT will ever happen), it will not change the fact that the age rule was broken WHILE IN EFFECT.
Comment by A Watcher — August 24, 2008 @ 3:27 am
Haha what a bunch of sore losers. Get over it.
Comment by anon — August 24, 2008 @ 1:58 pm
Wonderful. Apparently comments from that don’t toe the party line here get their names blocked. Freedom of speech? Presumption of innocence? They don’t apply here. Americans being pitifully hypocritical as usual…
Comment by ROFL — August 24, 2008 @ 2:00 pm
“Oh, and can all you righteous Americans stop talking to me in capitals just so you can make a point? It REALLY IS QUITE ANNOYING.” Comment by Melissa
You don’t know my Country of origin anymore than I know yours scooter.
I’ll make a deal with you:
“what’s so unfair about a child competing alongside experienced adult thletes? steriods are unfair this is not.” Comment by Melissa
YOU work on proper sentence structure such as CAPITALIZATION and SPELLING, maybe then I’ll work on the capital letters.
what’s = What’s
thletes = Athletes
steriods = Steroids
IT REALLY IS QUITE ANNOYING.
Comment by Gradyman0 — August 24, 2008 @ 5:22 pm
Hmm, seems like the Americans are reeally the ones pushing this. and assuming this and that. and saying things like “Quite honestly, I feel for the girl…to be used as a pawn for nationalistic pride.”
Reports can have errors too. Like i read in a Reuters article that the Chinese Gymnastics team failed to medal in the Olympics because they weren’t good enough. Hmm since its published online, should i take it for real then?
Comment by lasher — August 25, 2008 @ 4:43 am
melissa said:
“it only goes to prove further what a remarkable athlete He Kexin is. The fact remains – she was the BEST gymnast in the world at the Beijing games, regardless of her age. Pure talent should always come before bureaucracy.”
how do we know there isn’t another 14-year old gymnast from another country who’s better, but wasn’t allowed to compete because of her age?
Comment by tiffany — August 25, 2008 @ 5:16 pm
#22: Oh, very good. *clap clap*
One of the reasons Americans are upset about this is because we were the ones in the running during the competition. But, if other countries would like to jump on the bandwagon, we’d make room…after all, it might be Russia or Japan or some other country it happens to next Olympics.
Let’s reverse it…what if it were the USA who was being accused of cheating (with some pretty damning evidence) and China were the ones being cheated? Do you really think China would just roll over and let it go? Can you imagine the uproar?
You’ll notice that we aren’t asking for the relays to be rerun in which we dropped the baton. That would be unfair to the other competitors who won fair and square. We don’t have a problem losing if we lose according to the rules. But when we lose because of blatant cheating by another team, which is backed by an entire country (after all, the Chinese government runs the athletics in that country)…well, yeah, we do have a problem. And if people can’t see that, it’s their problem.
Comment by k — August 25, 2008 @ 10:17 pm