No one would be happier to finally have closure on the controversy than the gymnasts' parents.

 

China coach Lu Shanzhen said the parents are "indignant" over persistent questions about their daughters' ages.

 

"It's not just me. The parents of our athletes are all very indignant," Lu said. "They have faced groundless suspicion. Why aren't they believed? Why are their children suspected? Their parents are very angry."

 

In an interview with The Associated Press, Lu said Asian gymnasts are naturally smaller than their American and European rivals.

 

"At this competition, the Japanese gymnasts were just as small as the Chinese," he said. "Chinese competitors have for years all been small. It is not just this time. It is a question of race. European and American athletes are all powerful, very robust. But Chinese athletes cannot be like that. They are by nature that small."

 

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/O/OLY_GYM_UNDERAGE_CHINESE?SITE=WIJAN&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

Don't forget their attempt at a fake fireworks show, even though it was really nice, that was also fake.

But they did announce the "fakeness" of the fireworks during the presentation.

I also agree :thumb: I though this was to compete with the best from each nation. The rule is wrong IMO, but rules are rules and you have to follow them. The medals should be striped.

 

A gymnast interviewed on the radio said that most of these girls will likely have spinal problems before they turn 20. She said it will shorten or greatly affect their lives. A good % of American gymnasts even have issues, and they start at a much higher age, and don't practice as intensely. She said the smaller the body, the more impressive the maneuvers look because the body is more flexible. Think Olga Korbut or Nadia Comeneci, who were waifer thin, but legal in age, so their bones were more developed.

 

Imagine if you have a son, who wants to be a football player. Do you start having him lifting weights when he is two? Two or three is the age they start in China. You don't even start him lifting till sometime in high school, so why do this to a girl who weighs 50 pounds? The avg weight of the US gymnasts was 107 lbs. The avg of the Chinese was 77 lbs.

 

The moral of the story is that they will sacrifice these kids health just for a few pieces of gold, all the while taking medals away from those who play the game legally.

Don't forget their attempt at a fake fireworks show, even though it was really nice, that was also fake.

 

Another thing I heard was bogus was the 56 girls holding the flags that represented the 56 provinces of China in the opening ceremony. They said each girl came from the province of the flag they were holding. Turns out all 56 were from the same dominant province. Okkaaaaayyy.

 

Also, it was interesting how they created a protest zone, ninety-miles away from the stadium, to provide a location to anyone who wanted to protest during the Olympics. However, you had to apply for a protest permit in person. As of yesterday, there were 77 applications, and all were denied. They arrested everyone who applied for one, including a 77 and 79 year old pair of grandmothers, who were sent to re-education work camps. China said as of yesterday, most applications were being withdrawn. Hmmm, wonder why?

I was told that Germany started this by googling the girls' names. They found stories on the girls and two years ago, they were 4 years younger than they are today.

 

Anyone know if there is any truth to that?

Officials need to check gymnast Mia Too Young, and Seol Nott Old.

 

I thought it was funny! :lol::lol::lol::lol:

 

By the way...I think they lied about some of their ages.

I was told that Germany started this by googling the girls' names. They found stories on the girls and two years ago, they were 4 years younger than they are today.

 

Anyone know if there is any truth to that?

 

 

Yes and no. I heard it was bloggers, not German officials, and some were from Germany. They pulled up tournaments these girls were in, and ages were listed truthfully at that time, so the math is fuzzy now that they're 16. Even passports showing actual ages were found, however they disappeared and the ones China provided a few weeks ago do not match those records previously found. They even put birthdates of January 1, 1992 on the new ones, like they weren't even trying to hide the fact they were cheating. That's the earliest birthdate they can have to be eligible.

 

A high ranking gymnastic official told a reporter (off the record, reporter was being interviewed) that they will not likely pursue taking the medals away because of all the problems that would cause the host nation. They think it could lead to world problems between the US and China..

I'm sure the gymnasts parents want closure on the issue. They want it to go away so they won't also be perceived as cheaters and what does it say about them as parents that they would sacrafice their children's future health for a gold medal. Then again, they probably had no say in anything that was done. If they disagreed, they would probably be sent to the same work camp as the 77 and 79 year old grannies.

 

I'd say whoever uncovered this info on the underage documents is probably in hiding, fearing for their life.