China Busted Using Underage Gymnasts

Tags: Sports, Olympics, Gymnastics, 2008 Olympics, Chinese Athletes
Email this Topic • Print this Page

Read Discussion
Reply to All

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/olympics/article4578241.ece

http://strydehax.blogspot.com/2008/08/hack-olympics.html

Topic Stats
Top Replies
Link/Embed

Type: Discussion • Score: 15 • Views: 985 • Replies: 52

[+5] - littlek - 08/22/2008Maybe we need to define curves? I assume curves involve a bust-waist-hip difference. I agree that she has a very powerful body, incredibly muscular legs, butt, torso - but hips? Curves? I don't...
[+3] - Roberta - 08/22/2008That's what will happen. The medals will be taken back. I just finished reading an article about this. The Chinese officials are saying that smallness is an ethnic thing. I saw the girls...
[+3] - eoe - 08/22/2008I looked at their facial structure. Their foreheads, cheeks and chins were of pre-teens. Much too child-like to pass for sixteen years old. After determining that one child wasn't cute enough to...
[+3] - gungasnake - 08/22/2008What I read is that good curves produce a center of gravity less than ideal for gymnastics. I'm not sure I believe it. Shawn Johnson has the good curves but it's plain enough that whatever is...
[+3] - OmSigDAVID - 08/22/2008Please look between her left arm and left hip, in your picture. From TV, I remember her having curves. David
[+3] - eoe - 08/23/2008This was one of the poorest Olympics that I can remember. Very few gymnasts actually stuck their landings. Shawn Johnson didn't stick hers. Nastia did but her routine was not rated as difficult. I...
[+2] - Bella Dea - 08/22/2008It's frustrating to me because they've groomed this girl since probably age 3 to be an olympic gold medalist. She doesn't know any different. She probably knows deep inside it's wrong but the...
[+2] - eoe - 08/22/2008What's the age limit on divers? I swear a couple of those Chinese girls looked to be about twelve years old. Thirteen tops.
[+2] - ehBeth - 08/22/2008The minimum age is 16.
[+2] - NickFun - 08/22/2008If an athlete is found to be underaged then she should be forced to give back her medal -- same as for athletes who test positive for doping.

@oralloy,

So, now what?

1 Reply

@oralloy,

I don't know if anything will be done about this but I'm glad it is being exposed. Rules are rules and if everyone else has to follow them then China should too. You can bet if America tried a stunt like that the officials would be all over it. I hope they do take the gold away from China. I'd feel bad for the girl but she can at least compete again in 2012, where some that she edged out can't. I hate cheats. Evil or Very Mad

0 Replies

It's frustrating to me because they've groomed this girl since probably age 3 to be an olympic gold medalist. She doesn't know any different. She probably knows deep inside it's wrong but the drive to be the worlds best is so strong in her, that little voice telling her it's wrong is drowned out. And the adults who did this to her should feel shame. Course, they don't but I am glad too that at least now it's out there.

2 Replies

http://ukpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5jLDvbCUdGai53RQap5ZKXJHfe_6Q

0 Replies

There's been some phenomenal performances in this games, but it's still been the fake Olympics. China isn't fooling anyone, but with the money to be made there, noone is going to complain.

0 Replies

@Bella Dea,

"Bella Dea" wrote:

So, now what?

Well, if the governing bodies do the right thing, her scores will be struck from the team competition totals, moving China's team from first to last place, and all the Chinese team gold medals (for the women's team) will be seized and given to the American gymnast team.

0 Replies

@Bella Dea,

I agree; they're teaching this little girl that it's okay to cheat to win at anything.

0 Replies

What's the age limit on divers? I swear a couple of those Chinese girls looked to be about twelve years old. Thirteen tops.

1 Reply

@Bella Dea,

Bella Dea wrote:

It's frustrating to me because they've groomed this girl since probably age 3 to be an olympic gold medalist. She doesn't know any different. She probably knows deep inside it's wrong but the drive to be the worlds best is so strong in her, that little voice telling her it's wrong is drowned out. And the adults who did this to her should feel shame. Course, they don't but I am glad too that at least now it's out there.

Actually, Bella, I doubt she has any idea that this is wrong. Her environment is that different from ours.

0 Replies

@eoe,

The minimum age is 16.

1 Reply

@ehBeth,

If an athlete is found to be underaged then she should be forced to give back her medal -- same as for athletes who test positive for doping.

1 Reply

@NickFun,

I definitely agree with that.

1 Reply

My older bro made a good point yesterday - that it's not only the other teams who are being screwed, the older Chinese gymnasts ALSO did, when they get passed over for next years' crop.

Cycloptichorn

0 Replies

@ehBeth,

That's what will happen. The medals will be taken back.

I just finished reading an article about this. The Chinese officials are saying that smallness is an ethnic thing.

I saw the girls competing. Shawn Johnson is small, but it can't surprise anyone that she's sixteen. A female's body changes when she reaches puberty. Some of the Chinese girls don't have waists! Their bodies have the shape of children's bodies. IMO it's not just a matter of size.

2 Replies

@Roberta,

We know what should happen, but it ain't gonna.
http://ukpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5jLDvbCUdGai53RQap5ZKXJHfe_6Q

1 Reply

@Wilso,

I agree, it probably won't happen.

Ethnic thing, my ass. Jeez

Cycloptichorn

0 Replies

I looked at their facial structure. Their foreheads, cheeks and chins were of pre-teens. Much too child-like to pass for sixteen years old.
After determining that one child wasn't cute enough to perform in the opening ceremonies, there's not much I'd put pass the CCOG in their quest for perfection.

2 Replies

@eoe,

The Chinese are liars and cheats. They're not fooling anyone, but nobody is going to upset them.

1 Reply

@Wilso,

Come on, Wilso, the Chinese are not all liars and cheats, just like not all Aussies are - or any other group.

1 Reply

Read Discussion
Reply to All

China Busted Using Underage Gymnasts

Related Topics