Did China Lie about the female gymnastic' ages? - Page 5

beefche · #41 (**permalink**) 08-19-2008, 10:53 AM

Did anyone watch the uneven bars event last night? The top ranked person was our own, Nastia L. She knew she would have some competition from the Chinese. The Chinese "16 y/o" He (come on...that girl is younger than 16, no matter how much make up you put on her) had a really good routine but did not stick her landing. She had to take a step across her other leg to stay up. Nastia had a good routine and stuck her landing. They both got the same score--tied for 1st. But due to new rules, the Chinese girl won the gold and Nastia got the silver.

I'm not an expert....I just like to play one. I just couldn't understand how the Chinese girl didn't get more deductions.

candyprpl · #42 (**permalink**) 08-19-2008, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Truegrits

If it were proven that they are underage, would they then lose their Gold Medals?

If a participant tests positive for drugs, they lose their medals. They broke the rules. So I would think breaking this rule would bring the same consequences.

candyprpl · #43 (**permalink**) 08-19-2008, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beefche

Did anyone watch the uneven bars event last night? The top ranked person was our own, Nastia L. She knew she would have some competition from the Chinese. The Chinese "16 y/o" He (come on...that girl is younger than 16, no matter how much make up you put on her) had a really good routine but did not stick her landing. She had to take a step across her other leg to stay up. Nastia had a good routine and stuck her landing. They both got the same score--tied for 1st. But due to new rules, the Chinese girl won the gold and Nastia got the silver.

I'm not an expert....I just like to play one. I just couldn't understand how the Chinese girl didn't get more deductions.

I was glad they showed how a tie breaker is dealt with but I agree, it shouldn't have been a tie. I'm not an expert either but sticking a landing has always been a big plus. When Bob Costas and Bella Karoly(sp) were talking, I agreed with Bella -- they both should have received the gold. I thought Nastia and her father both handled themselves well. I probably would have been making a horrible scene

hnoyoudon t: I guess you get the picture.

funkymonkey · #44 (**permalink**) 08-19-2008, 06:19 PM

Yeah I don't get the tie-breaker rules either. USA gymnastics used to have some wierd rules like that. One of the only meets I still remember to this day was when I was 14. I tied with another girl on the beam, because her all-around score was higher she got the gold and I got the silver. I can only imagine how Nastia feels, being the Olympics an' all!

Whenver the commentators talk about being dissapointed with the silver or the bronze, I always think of the Simpsons...where Springfield gets the Olympic bid and the organizer says, "...athletes compete for magnificent gold, so-so silver, and shameful bronze."

On a serious note...
I don't want to condone dishonesty but I personally don't think it matters if they're 16 or not...they are doing gymnastics at that level and deserve to compete at that level. A lot of these girls in different countries are using their talents more as a method for survival than for pride of country and to just win some metals.

Did anyone catch what they said about China's "rewards"? There is a girl on the Chinese gymnastics team that would be awarded a house for her family if she won a metal in every event. She really bombed on the floor and so she didn't get a metal...and didn't get a house for her family!! Soo sad.

jack-a-roo · #45 (**permalink**) 08-19-2008, 06:29 PM

I heard that in China when a child is born they count them as already being 1 year old, instead of going by months first like we do. So I guess that by our standards they would be under age..but by theirs they wouldn't.

Dunno if that's correct...just heard it.

Truegrits · #46 (**permalink**) 08-19-2008, 06:39 PM

Quote:

I heard that in China when a child is born they count them as already being 1 year old, instead of going by months first like we do. So I guess that by our standards they would be under age..but by theirs they wouldn't.

Well, not really...if the age requirement is 16, minimum, and they are competing at 13>14, they would still be underage even by "their standards".

VisionOfLehi · #47 (**permalink**) 08-21-2008, 06:25 PM

Athletes are required to be 16, or turning 16 in the year the Olympics are being held. (You can be 15 and compete if your birthday is later.)

I've done some rudimentary study on facial structure and proportions in my art studies...
There are differences between 12 year olds' proportions and 16 year olds.

Those girls, especially He, are closer to 12 than they are 16, proportion wise. You can look young, but usually your structure has aged as well. Theirs hasn't.

The fact that their reported ages were all 2 years younger not long ago, that one is missing a tooth for unreleased reasons, and there's been no IOC investigation all say to me that these girls are not old enough to compete.

I read an article that a Chinese teacher (from another country) was informed by their students that everyone KNEW they weren't 16... They just didn't know you had to be 16 to be in the Olympics.

I'm not sure it matters too much... Mostly because the IOC won't do anything. (The one Chinese gal who won a bronze and admitted she was underage, few Olympics back... They didn't do anything about it.)

If they are too young, and thus have an unfair advantage in some ways... I feel kind of bummed for the athletes who WERE old enough that were bumped down or out of medal placings because of it.

Nothing is going to happen about it, though. IOC doesn't want to upset China.

RachelleDrew · #48 (**permalink**) 08-21-2008, 11:00 PM

Just read today, the IOC is in fact launching an investigation on the matter.

Finally.

john doe · #49 (**permalink**) 08-22-2008, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jack-a-roo

I heard that in China when a child is born they count them as already being 1 year old, instead of going by months first like we do. So I guess that by our standards they would be under age..but by theirs they wouldn't.

Dunno if that's correct...just heard it.

Doesn't matter, the governing bodies judge it by the date of birth. You can be in your first year as a 2-month-old, but you are not 1 year old until your first birthday. The rule as I understand it says that gymnasts must turn 16 by the end of the calendar year of the olympics. Maybe the Chines can argue that they follow a different calendar than the rest of the world, but I don't think the governing body will buy it, that would only gain 1 year and the allegations are that He is 2 years too young.

john doe · #50 (**permalink**) 08-22-2008, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RachelleDrew

Just read today, the IOC is in fact launching an investigation on the matter.

Finally.

Yeah, we'll see if the IOC has the guts to take a gold medal away from a gymnast from the host country, who also happens to be China. If the allegations are proven, it's the right thing to do, but the IOC sometimes isn't interested in doing the right thing, they are interested in lining their pockets.