Lausanne, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) - The Federation Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG) has at last announced the findings of its investigations into underage gymnasts at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. The FIG Disciplinary Committee ruled that Ms Dong Fangxiao was only 14 years old at the time of the Games, rather than 17 as reported by the Chinese Olympic Committee. The FIG Executive Committee has recommended that the IOC withdraw the Bronze medal awarded to the Chinese Olympic team as well as cancelling her results in a number of meetings in 1999 and 2000. Ms Yang Yun was also warned but the FIG ruled that there was insufficient proof that her birthdate had been falsified on official documents.
Lausanne, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – Two Chinese gymnasts who have been suspected of being under-age for the 2000 Sydney Olympics Games, met in Lausanne Monday 21 December with Fig, the international gymnastics federation, to review their case. A decision on Dong Fangxiao and Yang Yun will be made 26 February by Fig’s executive committee, based on the recommendations of the three-person disciplinary commission which met with the athletes and the Chinese Gymnastic Association.
The gymnasts are suspected of having been as young as 14, according to USA Today. Olympic Games athletes must turn 16 during the year of the Games in which they compete. The Chinese team earned bronze in Sydney.
Reports that Chinese women gymnasts may have been too young for the 2008 Beijing Olympics Games were squashed by Fig, which ruled the young women were of age, following an investigation.
