For Chinese Gymnasts, Sixteen Couldn't be Sweeter

With their petite frames and fresh faces, most female gymnasts appear a few years younger than they actually are, but the vast majority of Americans watching China's gold medal gymnasts remained incredulous that some of the team was old enough to compete.  After uncovering some documents indicating that up to five of the team members were not old enough, officials launched an investigation determining their ages.

Today this month-long search has ended, and the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) has concluded that the Beijing gymnasts were, in fact, 16, and "the case is now concluded."  In contrast, two Chinese gymnasts who competed in the Sydney Games are still under scrutiny. 

Dong Fangxiao had papers in Sydney indicating that she was only 14 at the time, and her personal blog further confirms this age.  Yang Yun, the other gymnast in question, told a CCTV interviewer that she was only 14 when she competed in Sydney, so if she didn't perform well, she'd have another Olympic opportunity.

Even if both girls turn out to have been just 14, since the Sydney Games occurred eight years ago, it's difficult to determine the proper punishment, since the FIG has a five-year limit for disciplinary cases, and 10-year limit for criminal cases, but it could involve stripping the gymnasts of their medals.

It's pretty unlikely that this verdict in favor of the Beijing team will completely drown out the doubts of many skeptics, but the intense investigation might provide them some satisfaction.  If the government forged important documents, like birth certificates and passports in order to create a stronger sports team, China has much greater problems than underage gymnasts.