Gymnast Poll

jlynn · 08-22-2008, 12:31 PM

Its Friday, and I see Hannah is already getting started. I already got to listen to her on the phone this morning.

I thought I would start a poll just for her.

While the Chinese, and the world for that matter, seem to think we are sour grapes for pushing for an investigation, just remember, their oldest team member has admitted that she was underage at the 2000 games - so it isn't beyond the realm of possibility now is it?

VexatiousLitigant · 08-22-2008, 02:47 PM

Legal age for....?

jlynn · 08-22-2008, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VexatiousLitigant

Legal age for....?

OK, for all the dirtbags out there

The legal age to participate in gymnastics at the Olympic games...

hannah · 08-22-2008, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VexatiousLitigant

Legal age for....?

Just as there are legal ages for voting, drinking, and driving (although not all of them at the same time obviously) there are legal ages for certain sports. In the NBA beginning in 2006, the age limit for entering the Draft increased from 18 to 19 years of age. U.S. players must be at least one year removed from high school and 19 years of age (by the end of that calendar year) before entering the draft. An international player must turn 19 during the calendar year of the draft.

Olympic gymnasts are required to be no younger than 16 years old. These age limits protect the athletes health. In an article on Yahoo Sports:

Quote:

Age falsification has been a problem in gymnastics since the 1980s after the minimum age was raised from 14 to 15 to protect young athletes from serious injuries. The minimum age was raised to its current 16 in 1997. Younger gymnasts are considered to have an advantage because they are more flexible and are likely to have an easier time doing the tough skills the sport requires. They also aren’t as likely to have a history of injuries or fear of failure.

North Korea was barred from the 1993 world championships after FIG officials discovered Kim Gwang Suk, the gold medalist on uneven bars in 1991, was listed as 15 for three years in a row. Romania admitted in 2002 that several gymnasts’ ages had been falsified, including Olympic medalists Gina Gogean and Alexandra Marinescu.

Even China’s own Yang Yun, a double bronze medalist in Sydney, said during an interview aired on state broadcaster China Central Television that she was 14 during the 2000 Games.

The legal age for World and Olympic ice skating events is 16 as well.

jlynn · 08-22-2008, 03:36 PM

They only have to be 16 in the year of the Olympics. IOW a kid born 12/31/92 at 11:59 pm could participate in this year's games.

centex · 08-22-2008, 06:09 PM

You forgot the option I would have chosen...WHO CARES???

I view this as one of those events that really isn't that big of a deal even if true...after all, what does it say about the rest of the world if they get their ass handed to them by a 12 year old?

To me, this is a non-issue in the same way that Becky Hammon's decision was a non-issue.

spinn · 08-22-2008, 09:31 PM

It has been essentially proven they are 14:

"Last month the Associated Press found registration lists on the General Administration of Sport of China website that clearly showed both He and Yang Yilin were too young to compete. He was born Jan. 1, 1994, according to the 2005, 2006 and 2007 registration lists. Yang was born Aug. 26, 1993, according to the 2004, 2005 and 2006 registration lists. But on the 2007 registration list, her birthday changed to Aug. 26, 1992."

Sally Jenkins - As Gymnastics Cheating Evidence Grows, IOC Shrinks - washingtonpost.com

He is a she and weighs 73 pounds, or almost as much as my mothers cat.

But I am with Centex......

jlynn · 08-22-2008, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by centex

what does it say about the rest of the world if they get their ass handed to them by a 12 year old?

They need to have their boobs removed and not muscle up like teens and adults?

hannah · 08-23-2008, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by centex

You forgot the option I would have chosen...WHO CARES???

I view this as one of those events that really isn't that big of a deal even if true...after all, what does it say about the rest of the world if they get their ass handed to them by a 12 year old?

To me, this is a non-issue in the same way that Becky Hammon's decision was a non-issue.

Becky's issue is not the same. I have no objection to her playing for another country which is within the established rules. Competing underage is cheating no matter if a 12 year old did it or not. Please don't tell me you advocate cheating.