Underage Chinese olympian exposed

[Guest man]

She should lose the medal. She at the least knew that her government was lying about her age. Cheaters should never be allowed to prosper.

Oh, I doubt that she will prosper.

What was she supposed to do? Refuse to compete?

Didn't say that. But she cheated. And the nation of China is who would prosper if she is allowed to keep the medal. If the IOC can disqualify a sprinter for stepping on a line, they should disqualify a gymnast for not being old enough to compete. Sounds like condoning to me. "That's ok, little girl. You cheated, but you can keep your prize anyway."

Perhaps you should contact the IOC and inform them of their shortcomings.

[Rick-Parker]

She should lose the medal. She at the least knew that her government was lying about her age. Cheaters should never be allowed to prosper.

Oh, I doubt that she will prosper.

What was she supposed to do? Refuse to compete?

Didn't say that. But she cheated. And the nation of China is who would prosper if she is allowed to keep the medal. If the IOC can disqualify a sprinter for stepping on a line, they should disqualify a gymnast for not being old enough to compete. Sounds like condoning to me. "That's ok, little girl. You cheated, but you can keep your prize anyway."

Perhaps you should contact the IOC and inform them of their shortcomings.

Can't use logic so we go for sarcasm? Typical response.

[Guest man]

She should lose the medal. She at the least knew that her government was lying about her age. Cheaters should never be allowed to prosper.

Oh, I doubt that she will prosper.

What was she supposed to do? Refuse to compete?

Didn't say that. But she cheated. And the nation of China is who would prosper if she is allowed to keep the medal. If the IOC can disqualify a sprinter for stepping on a line, they should disqualify a gymnast for not being old enough to compete. Sounds like condoning to me. "That's ok, little girl. You cheated, but you can keep your prize anyway."

Perhaps you should contact the IOC and inform them of their shortcomings.

Can't use logic so we go for sarcasm? Typical response.

Regardless of her age, she still won the competition. She should at least be recognized for her accomplishments.

It's not her fault that she was forced to compete.

[Rick-Parker]

She may have won the competition, but it wasn't a fair competition to start with. Younger females are more agile, flexible and lighter and have an unfair advantage over 16 yr olds. Why should the American team, who got silver after the Chinese got gold by cheating, be penalized? Why should the American girls be penalized in the individual medal when the Chinese got the gold by cheating? So what if the child was forced to participate. Give her a cupy doll. She cheated, her country cheated. They perpitrated and participated in a fraud. It is pretty pathedic that a Christian would condone cheating. Do you feel the same way about the NE Patriots getting caught stealing signs from the Jets last year?

[Rick-Parker]

Many countries pay the living expenses of their athletes. And we all know that they pull gifted children from their homes and raise them to be athletes. Most of our athletes hold down jobs and have families.

[kat8585]

Does anyone know what they are doing about it, if anything? Personally, I thing she should be stripped of it and it be given to the one who won legitemately.

[Rick-Parker]

Does anyone know what they are doing about it, if anything? Personally, I thing she should be stripped of it and it be given to the one who won legitemately.

Looking into it, I guess. I'm sure that the American Gymnastics Assn. will stay hot on it.

[traveller]

One of the news anchors interviewed a man that seemed to know how the proceedures flow. Sorry - I got there too late to get his credentials or name. What he waid was that this was old news. That all this was looked at before the olympics begans, because the IOC checks all documents presented long before anyone ever arrives. When issues are raised they first hold an informal investigation - re-checking documents, talking to all involved, etc. If they are not completely satisfied, they then hold a formal investigation. At that time it is up to the government of the suspected country to investigate internally. Like he said - are the Chinese going to honestly look into it - especially since they are the ones actually giving the information. However - he went on to say that it doesn't always stop there, if actual physical evidence comes in. A few years ago Korea was found to be cheating by having underage athletes, and was barred from future events. Totally. He said the Chinese would be foolish to try this, knowing that about the Koreans and the consequences.

The man also said that the only reason this issue keeps coming up is because of the media. This latest time it was the Germans that stirred up the controvery again, but that all the announcers mention it often, to their respective countries. He said it was nothing new and that they face the same thing in world events. I do know that the man interviewed was an American.

I don't know how one could actually verify something like that when you have to rely on the government to have accurate and "true" documents. Personally - I think we should stop holding events with communist countries. Most of those Chinese athletes look miserable.

[jgarden]

This is interesting:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/4664282a26500.html

Is anything real about these Beijing games?

At present there is no conclusive evidence - but it would not be a total surprise.

Every human endevour has its shortcomings, and the Olympics has its fair share - but any excuse to promote international co-operation and goodwill can't be all bad.

Edited August 24, 2008 by jgarden

[Rick-Parker]

The IOC gave 100,000 condoms to the athletes. (off the wall I know, )