Comments on: Beijing Underage Gymnast Update: Hacker Finds Fake-ID Proof

By: PK

PK — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 03:46:23 +0000

Underage gymnasts? Maybe not…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtB5VLxOBsQ

By: Simon Scowl

Simon Scowl — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 08:33:50 +0000

You do realize that their whole lives are based on being judged, right? Literally? And that the Olympics have, like, rules and stuff?

By: Ben

Ben — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 08:17:47 +0000

Even if it turns out that gymnasts were underaged, it should not take away the fact that they trained and competed at the highest levels. It would be a shame if they got their medals taken away just like that, it’s not as if being underaged makes it any easier to compete at that level. And quite likely, given the regime they come from, they did not have a choice in the matter anyway.

I think what’s easy is for us (myself included) to sit around and shoot the breeze about who deserves their medals to be revoked and what not, but unless we have been in their shoes, having worked most of their young lives, forgone many of the joys of childhood, just for a shot at a sporting event, we will never ever be qualified to judge them.

By: penelope

penelope — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 08:31:16 +0000

personally, I think it would suck to be the gymnasts who were beaten by her… they lost to a kid.

By: rose

rose — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 07:14:50 +0000

If the Chinese gymnasts are under age, they deserve the medals even more. FYI Nadia was 14 when she won. I guess it is embarassing to be beaten by some body younger….

By: Queen Bee

Queen Bee — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 03:36:23 +0000

I guess I am a bit of a freak, but why do the Olympics or any sporting events have rules at all? Isn’t it to ensure a fair competition (regardless of the fact that girls in the US, Russia, Romania or China have unfair advantages because they have better training programs?) Yeah, maybe the age rule should go away for future competitions. As Dominique Moceanau(SIC?)pointed out, she was training really hard regardless of whether or not she could compete so why not let her compete? Of course, she was one of the people the rule was put in place for because she was pounding on her fragile, growing body at such a young age. By the time these girls become adults, they usually have multiple surgeries. Shawn Johnson is the exception to that rule – and everyone can’t quite believe she hasn’t had to have her knees fixed yet. And while the 14 year old gymnast might be lithe and wiry, the 16 year old might have better stamina as well as mental fortitude to manage the stress of major events.
But here is the bottom line – right now, there is a rule in place that prohibits girls under the age of 16 from competing in gymnastics. The IOC and FIG are choosing to accept “evidence” to the contrary because they don’t want to start an international incident. It’s sad that’s the way it is but there you have it – a tarnished Olympics that reflects the rest of the world.

By: Bah

Bah — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 07:34:44 +0000

Well if she is a 14yo she deserves it even more

By: Hi Heels Lo Life

Hi Heels Lo Life — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 23:43:33 +0000

Sammy:
“I feel that some country is over influence by the local Media, and start to believe in the Media.”
Pot, meet Kettle. The finger pointing can go in both directions.

By: Sammy

Sammy — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 20:19:17 +0000

If China women gymnastics did not win in team and UB, do you think it will have such high escalation?

If China not strong in gymnastics, will someone start to fire up this issue?

I feel that some country is over influence by the local Media, and start to believe in the Media.

By: Austin

Austin — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 18:07:33 +0000

“It might fell better being a$$ kicked by a 16-year-old instead of a 14-year-old (if it is true).
All athletes are working their a@@ off for this once in four years game. Can people just drop off their biased judgment and give them some peaceful air for competition? Do you really know anything about Chinese government or Chinese people before being crazy? Have you ever been there to see the truth in your own eyes? Each government is running for their own benefits. Do you like US government? There might be more people in the world who hate US government. If you are not a politician, just enjoy the game. Whining can not make you less like a loser.”

I think I got one of your gold-spamming messages playing Lord of the Rings Online™ once. I see the script the government gave you is a lot better than games4power.com, but there’s still something about it that just makes me not want to even bother an iota thinking about what you just said.

Ta!