Other Sports Olympics: IOC’s gymnastics probe falls well short

**Tribal Warfare** · 08-22-2008, 05:32 AM

http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/bei...yhoo&type=lgns

IOC’s gymnastics probe falls well short

By Dan Wetzel, Yahoo! Sports 1 hour, 45 minutes ago

BEIJING – At least when the NCAA runs one of its bogus investigations of Big State U, it sends some people out in the field, conducts some interviews and then after a few months (or years) claims that the Ferrari Enzo the star tailback was driving really did come from grandma back home and not the booster or the agent.

The International Olympic Committee apparently sees no need for such pause or pretense.

The “investigation” it ordered into whether some Chinese gymnasts were under the minimum age of 16 was concluded after just a few hours Friday.

The not-so stunning verdict: The Chinese are innocent.

Please move along, now. Nothing to see here.

“We believe the matter will be put to rest and there’s no question … on the eligibility,” IOC spokeswoman Giselle Davies said. “The information we have received seems satisfactory in terms of the correct documentation – including birth certificates.”

While you slept, the IOC swept.

Sorry, the matter isn’t being put to rest no matter how many whitewash inspections are done. A real investigation does not take hours. It takes days or weeks or however long is necessary.

What exactly did they do except look at the same questionable info – government-issued passports – they had previously been presented? Did they ask He Kexin if she was 16, cross your heart and hope to die?
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The Associated Press says the Chinese turned over information to the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) on Thursday evening. It included the current and former passport, ID card and family residence permit for the double-gold medalist. All had the same and proper birth date.

That was enough for FIG, which by Friday morning had declared everything fine.

No word on the old websites, interviews with friends and families, a trip to the birth hospital or discovery of old school records. Nothing.

Perhaps this would have amounted to little and perhaps He and the others are, indeed, 16 – but this was nothing but the most ridiculous kind of propaganda.

A 12-hour investigation? Really? No one at the IOC or FIG has even the sense to think, “Perhaps we should at least pretend to care before simply clearing the gymnasts?”

The investigation by FIG was so fast word of its start didn’t make the Chinese government-controlled English newspaper China Daily. No news is good news.

This in the face of mounting evidence from multiple media and citizen investigations in America and England that showed more and more old registration forms, gymnastics websites and athlete logs that showed three of the six Chinese gymnasts used to list birth dates from 1993 and 1994, which would make them too young to compete at the Olympics.

In an effort to protect young athletes before their bones and muscles fully formed, FIG mandates that to compete in the Beijing Games a gymnast must be born in 1992 or before.

First came stories in The New York Times, The Associated Press and the Times of London that listed He’s birth date as a too-young Jan. 1, 1994. Then private citizens got involved. The latest was from a New York computer expert going by the name Stryde Hax who combed old Chinese documents on the web that found even more of the same.

Just last December government controlled media wrote stories about He calling her a 13-year-old “little girl” and a “star of the future.” The future became now when she showed up at the Olympics with a Chinese passport that claimed she was born Jan. 1, 1992.

There were also suspicions about two of her teammates. The birth date of Yang Yilin was listed on official national registration lists posted by the General Administration of Sport of China website for three years from 2004 to 2006 as a too young Aug. 26, 1993, according to the AP.
Chinese gymnastics coach Lu Shanzhen speaks a news conference at the Samsung Pavilion at the 2008 Beijing Olympics in Beijing, Friday, Aug. 22, 2008. Lu Shanzhen told The Associated Press they gave the FIG new documents on Thursday to try to remove any doubts about He Kexin's age, including an old passport, residency card and her current ID card.
Chinese gymnastics coach Lu Sh…
AP - Aug 22, 1:22 am EDT

On her passport her birth date is Aug. 26, 1992.

Jiang Yuyuan’s birthday was Oct. 1, 1993, as recently as a registration list for a 2007 competition. On her passport she was born Nov. 1, 1991.

Perhaps the birth date of one gymnast could be confused one time, but half the team on multiple occasions? Considering 2000 Chinese bronze medalist Yang Yun later admitted on state television she was 14 that year, the IOC or FIG should have been all over this.

Instead, they did nothing until the USOC requested action. Then they just brushed it aside.

Having younger, and presumably smaller and more nimble athletes, can be a significant advantage in some gymnastics disciplines. Romania’s Nadia Comaneci scored seven perfect 10s in the 1976 Games when she was just 14, before FIG set the age limit.

This investigation isn’t fair to the sport of gymnastics, which will forever look suspiciously on the competition here. It isn’t fair to the United States, Romania and Russia, who all deserve to move up one spot on the medal stand if China used ineligible athletes.

And it isn’t fair to China, He and her teammates, who if innocent don’t deserve this to hang over their heads forever.

The IOC and FIG have never been about fair, though. They’ve been about kowtowing to the powerful and cashing the checks. They have so lost their way, have become so insulated by the power, they can’t even fathom no one is accepting a kangaroo court investigation.

Even the NCAA is smarter than that.

**Buehler445** · 08-22-2008, 01:30 PM

Wow. I certainly hope this isn't the end of the investigation.

Posted via Mobile Device

kepp · 08-22-2008, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buehler445

Wow. I certainly hope this isn't the end of the investigation.

Posted via Mobile Device

Of course it is. There's no way the IOC will dig any deeper especially since we're talking about the host country.

El Jefe · 08-22-2008, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kepp

Of course it is. There's no way the IOC will dig any deeper especially since we're talking about the host country.

Major League Bullshart IMO, but you are exactly right.

RustShack · 08-22-2008, 01:37 PM

I'd stick it in Alicia Sacromone

El Jefe · 08-22-2008, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustShack

I'd stick it in Alicia Sacromone

Come on man, if your going to say that about her at least spell her name right Sacramone, she isn't just eye candy.......or is she

The Rick · 08-22-2008, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustShack

I'd stick it in Alicia Sacromone

Wow, that was fast! It only took 2 replies!

ottawa_chiefs_fan · 08-22-2008, 02:09 PM

I'm sure you have seen these Chinese babies - there is no f-ing way they are 16 - are you kidding me - this is cheating for sure....problem with communist countries (can you say East Germany?) is that they do not play by the same rules as the rest of us....Their version of "honesty" is whatever keeps them in power and the masses subordinate.

I f-ing HATE communism...at least our dictators are elected and are held responsible by the media (at the very least)...

RustShack · 08-22-2008, 02:14 PM

We need to go to war in China now, those young cheating ****s! Teach them to **** with us in the Olympic games!

zhawkz · 08-22-2008, 02:27 PM

hmmm...that article/link is gone...

teedubya · 08-22-2008, 02:34 PM

China would start nuking people if there "precious" gold medals were taken.

jidar · 08-22-2008, 02:43 PM

this is disappointing but not unexpected.
What can they do? There is no definitive way to tell age for certain short of government documentation, if the government is willing to forge those documents then that's it really. The IOC knows there is nothing it can do so it's not going to bother to stir shit up anymore, instead it's going to try to sweep it all under the rug.

**007** · 08-22-2008, 03:47 PM

way to look out for the host country there IOC. What a joke you are proving yourselves to be. I would expect you to investigate the USA if we were hosting.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 08-22-2008, 03:48 PM

I'm starting to think that the IOC and the NCAA are run by the same folks...

ElGringo · 08-22-2008, 05:45 PM

I love their investigations, can't wait for our professionals sports to catch on.
IOC: China, did you cheat?
China: No
IOC: Okay then, thanks.

08-22-2008, 05:32 AM	Topic Starter
Tribal Warfare The Boom Boom Room Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $942813	Olympics: IOC’s gymnastics probe falls well short http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/bei...yhoo&type=lgns IOC’s gymnastics probe falls well short By Dan Wetzel, Yahoo! Sports 1 hour, 45 minutes ago BEIJING – At least when the NCAA runs one of its bogus investigations of Big State U, it sends some people out in the field, conducts some interviews and then after a few months (or years) claims that the Ferrari Enzo the star tailback was driving really did come from grandma back home and not the booster or the agent. The International Olympic Committee apparently sees no need for such pause or pretense. The “investigation” it ordered into whether some Chinese gymnasts were under the minimum age of 16 was concluded after just a few hours Friday. The not-so stunning verdict: The Chinese are innocent. Please move along, now. Nothing to see here. “We believe the matter will be put to rest and there’s no question … on the eligibility,” IOC spokeswoman Giselle Davies said. “The information we have received seems satisfactory in terms of the correct documentation – including birth certificates.” While you slept, the IOC swept. Sorry, the matter isn’t being put to rest no matter how many whitewash inspections are done. A real investigation does not take hours. It takes days or weeks or however long is necessary. What exactly did they do except look at the same questionable info – government-issued passports – they had previously been presented? Did they ask He Kexin if she was 16, cross your heart and hope to die? ADVERTISEMENT The Associated Press says the Chinese turned over information to the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) on Thursday evening. It included the current and former passport, ID card and family residence permit for the double-gold medalist. All had the same and proper birth date. That was enough for FIG, which by Friday morning had declared everything fine. No word on the old websites, interviews with friends and families, a trip to the birth hospital or discovery of old school records. Nothing. Perhaps this would have amounted to little and perhaps He and the others are, indeed, 16 – but this was nothing but the most ridiculous kind of propaganda. A 12-hour investigation? Really? No one at the IOC or FIG has even the sense to think, “Perhaps we should at least pretend to care before simply clearing the gymnasts?” The investigation by FIG was so fast word of its start didn’t make the Chinese government-controlled English newspaper China Daily. No news is good news. This in the face of mounting evidence from multiple media and citizen investigations in America and England that showed more and more old registration forms, gymnastics websites and athlete logs that showed three of the six Chinese gymnasts used to list birth dates from 1993 and 1994, which would make them too young to compete at the Olympics. In an effort to protect young athletes before their bones and muscles fully formed, FIG mandates that to compete in the Beijing Games a gymnast must be born in 1992 or before. First came stories in The New York Times, The Associated Press and the Times of London that listed He’s birth date as a too-young Jan. 1, 1994. Then private citizens got involved. The latest was from a New York computer expert going by the name Stryde Hax who combed old Chinese documents on the web that found even more of the same. Just last December government controlled media wrote stories about He calling her a 13-year-old “little girl” and a “star of the future.” The future became now when she showed up at the Olympics with a Chinese passport that claimed she was born Jan. 1, 1992. There were also suspicions about two of her teammates. The birth date of Yang Yilin was listed on official national registration lists posted by the General Administration of Sport of China website for three years from 2004 to 2006 as a too young Aug. 26, 1993, according to the AP. Chinese gymnastics coach Lu Shanzhen speaks a news conference at the Samsung Pavilion at the 2008 Beijing Olympics in Beijing, Friday, Aug. 22, 2008. Lu Shanzhen told The Associated Press they gave the FIG new documents on Thursday to try to remove any doubts about He Kexin's age, including an old passport, residency card and her current ID card. Chinese gymnastics coach Lu Sh… AP - Aug 22, 1:22 am EDT On her passport her birth date is Aug. 26, 1992. Jiang Yuyuan’s birthday was Oct. 1, 1993, as recently as a registration list for a 2007 competition. On her passport she was born Nov. 1, 1991. Perhaps the birth date of one gymnast could be confused one time, but half the team on multiple occasions? Considering 2000 Chinese bronze medalist Yang Yun later admitted on state television she was 14 that year, the IOC or FIG should have been all over this. Instead, they did nothing until the USOC requested action. Then they just brushed it aside. Having younger, and presumably smaller and more nimble athletes, can be a significant advantage in some gymnastics disciplines. Romania’s Nadia Comaneci scored seven perfect 10s in the 1976 Games when she was just 14, before FIG set the age limit. This investigation isn’t fair to the sport of gymnastics, which will forever look suspiciously on the competition here. It isn’t fair to the United States, Romania and Russia, who all deserve to move up one spot on the medal stand if China used ineligible athletes. And it isn’t fair to China, He and her teammates, who if innocent don’t deserve this to hang over their heads forever. The IOC and FIG have never been about fair, though. They’ve been about kowtowing to the powerful and cashing the checks. They have so lost their way, have become so insulated by the power, they can’t even fathom no one is accepting a kangaroo court investigation. Even the NCAA is smarter than that.
Posts: 42,042

08-22-2008, 01:30 PM	#2
Buehler445 Supporter Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Scott City KS Casino cash: $2344734	Wow. I certainly hope this isn't the end of the investigation. Posted via Mobile Device
Posts: 56,769

08-22-2008, 01:37 PM	#5
RustShack **** That Noise Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Jack Trice Casino cash: $4726954	I'd stick it in Alicia Sacromone __________________
Posts: 15,047

08-22-2008, 02:09 PM	#8
ottawa_chiefs_fan Starter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Ottawa, Canada Casino cash: $9651312	I'm sure you have seen these Chinese babies - there is no f-ing way they are 16 - are you kidding me - this is cheating for sure....problem with communist countries (can you say East Germany?) is that they do not play by the same rules as the rest of us....Their version of "honesty" is whatever keeps them in power and the masses subordinate. I f-ing HATE communism...at least our dictators are elected and are held responsible by the media (at the very least)...
Posts: 950

08-22-2008, 02:14 PM	#9
RustShack **** That Noise Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Jack Trice Casino cash: $4726954	We need to go to war in China now, those young cheating **s! Teach them to ** with us in the Olympic games! __________________
Posts: 15,047

08-22-2008, 02:27 PM	#10
zhawkz Starter Join Date: Aug 2008 Casino cash: $10005225	hmmm...that article/link is gone...
Posts: 52

08-22-2008, 02:34 PM	#11
teedubya Most Valuable Poster Join Date: Oct 2003 Casino cash: $9490002	China would start nuking people if there "precious" gold medals were taken.
Posts: 36,649

08-22-2008, 02:43 PM	#12
jidar MVP Join Date: May 2005 Location: a Casino cash: $10004900	this is disappointing but not unexpected. What can they do? There is no definitive way to tell age for certain short of government documentation, if the government is willing to forge those documents then that's it really. The IOC knows there is nothing it can do so it's not going to bother to stir shit up anymore, instead it's going to try to sweep it all under the rug.
Posts: 5,502

08-22-2008, 03:47 PM	#13
007 Shaken. Not stirred. Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: London Casino cash: $14060126 VARSITY	way to look out for the host country there IOC. What a joke you are proving yourselves to be. I would expect you to investigate the USA if we were hosting. __________________ My dear girl, there are some things that just aren’t done. Such as, drinking Dom Perignon ’53 above the temperature of 38 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s just as bad as listening to the Beatles without earmuffs.
Posts: 65,554

08-22-2008, 03:48 PM	#14
OnTheWarpath15 MVP Join Date: Sep 2005 Casino cash: $4931115	I'm starting to think that the IOC and the NCAA are run by the same folks...
Posts: 60,167

08-22-2008, 05:45 PM	#15
ElGringo Veteran Join Date: May 2008 Location: Shreveport, La Casino cash: $9985100	I love their investigations, can't wait for our professionals sports to catch on. IOC: China, did you cheat? China: No IOC: Okay then, thanks.
Posts: 1,196