Full Twist » chinese gymnasts

Chinese Officials defend Dong Fangxiao

Admin — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 09:29:53 +0000

On Friday, FIG made the decision to strip Sydney 2000 Olympian Dong Fangxiao of her bronze medal as a result of an age scandal. Instead of being honest and admitting to an age cover up, the Chinese have said that they feel strong regret to FIG’s decision and “will further find out the relating information of this matter and reserve the right for explanation or appeal”. At this stage, I feel it would have been best for them to come clean. An appeal? It took so long to reach this decision, how long would an appeal take!

You can read the statement here. Blythe also has a great write up about the matter over on Gymnastics Examiner.

Decision made on Chinese gymnasts

Admin — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 23:26:01 +0000

FIG have released an update on their website regarding Dong Fangxiao and Yang Yun. In the case of Dong Fangxiao, the Executive Committee constituted that there was a violation to the FIG Statutes and Regulations. The Executive Committee decided that in the case of Yang Yun the concrete and objective evidence available is insufficient to prove that the birth date indicated on the official documents was falsified.

The FIG Executive Committee has ruled in the case involving two Chinese gymnasts suspected of having falsified their dates of birth for the Olympic Games in Sydney (AUS) in 2000, putting an end to the proceedings.

You can read the full statement here.

What are your thoughts on the ruling?

Decision expected regarding Chinese age controversy

Admin — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 15:53:51 +0000

In December, FIG released a statement regarding the two Chinese gymnasts who were suspected of having violated minimum age requirements for participation in the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. Today, February 26th is the date that FIG had set for a decision to be brought at the next Executive Committee meeting, in Lausanne. Hopefully we’ll hear something soon.

Blythe has written an extensive post, full of information if you wish to refresh your memory or are unaware of the controversy.