Hong Su Jong North Korean athlete suspended - Photo FIG
Lausanne, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) - North Korean gymnast Hong Su Jong and her fellow teammates have been barred by the Lausanne-based International Gymnastics Federation, IFG, from competing at the Artistic World Championships in Rotterdam for allegedly lying about her age.
The North Koreans have been barred from competing during the next 30 days which will prevent Hong and the rest of the team from competing in Rotterdam next week. The federation may not participate at any national event either.
The decision handed down on 7 October, says the North Koreans claimed three different years of birth for Hong during the 2004 Olympic games, the 2006 world championships and at the Asian games the same year, and at the world championships in 2007 and 2010.
The athletes have five days to appeal the IFG’s decision.
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.
