China deny gymnast report
The Chinese Gymnastics Association has denied reports that two of their gymnasts for the Olympics are under the minimum age for competing.
By Paul Higham
Last Updated: 01/08/08 10:57am
The Chinese Gymnastics Association has denied reports that two of their gymnasts for the Olympics are under the minimum age for competing.
Some media reports have suggested that female gymnasts He Kexin and Jiang Yuyuan have not yet turned 16 - the minimum age for Olympic competition according to the 1997 rule.
However, the Chinese officials have released a statement insisting that both athletes are old enough to take part in Beijing.
Although suggestions that both gymnasts are only 14, the Chinese authorities say the pair's identity cards prove that they are both 16.
"The Chinese Gymnastics Association organised the athletes' passports according to identity documents provided by the province, autonomous region, or city where they were registered," said a Chinese Gymnastic Association statement.
They added that the gymnasts have already taken part in international competitions run by the world governing body.
"These competitions are official ones run by the International Federation of Gymnastics," it said in the statement.
"The federation would have strictly verified their passports, and confirmed their ages conformed to the age regulations of the World Championships, the World Cup and the Olympic Games."
