Questions about Dong's eligibility arose during the FIG's investigation into the ages of China's team that won the gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Games. "Respecting the minimum age of our gymnasts remains a priority and I am committed to safeguarding the health of our athletes," FIG president Bruno Grandi said in a statement. The IOC also told the Chinese to "ensure, by all means, that the athletes and officials of its delegation comply with all rules and regulations particularly with regard to age limits." "I never imagined in all my years of gymnastics that a decade following one of my Olympic Games I'd actually get a medal possibly shipped to me in the mail," said Dawes, who will now have one gold and three bronzes from the 1992, 19 Games. The IOC ordered China's national Olympic committee to return the team medals "as soon as possible" so they can be reallocated to the U.S. Dong now lives in New Zealand with her husband. The IOC said Dong was also stripped of her sixth-place result in the individual floor exercises and seventh place in the vault.Ĭalls to the Chinese Gymnastics Association and the media officers for the Chinese gymnastics team went unanswered Wednesday. women, who had been fourth, move up to the bronze. ![]() Because her scores contributed to China winning the team bronze, the FIG recommended that the IOC take the medal back.Īs expected, the IOC executive board upheld the request and formally stripped the medal on the first day of a two-day meeting in Dubai. We will cherish it."ĭong's results from Sydney were nullified in February by the International Gymnastics Federation. "My teammates are very well-deserving of the bronze medal, and I'm sure each and every one of us will be thrilled. "I'm really just proud to know that justice prevailed," said Dominique Dawes, a member of the U.S. Gymnasts must turn 16 during the Olympic year to be eligible. The International Olympic Committee acted after investigations by the sport's governing body determined that Dong Fangxiao was only 14 at the 2000 Games. "I don't feel different from them." (Editing by Alison Williams) (For more stories visit our multimedia website "2008 Summer Olympics" at here and see our blog at have reached a degraded version of because you're using an unsupported version of Internet Explorer.įor a complete experience, please upgrade or use a supported browserĭUBAI, United Arab Emirates - China was stripped of the women's gymnastics bronze medal from the 2000 Sydney Olympics on Wednesday for fielding an underage gymnast, with that team medal now going to the United States. "I have more power than in the past," the Uzbek-born gymnast told reporters, adding she still felt like her teenage rivals. The 33-year-old will aim to reach the vault final where she has a good chance of medal. The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) issued a statement on Saturday saying that it strictly controlled entry to competitions and that the International Olympic Committee had confirmed that all passports used for accreditation were valid.Īnother person getting attention over her age is German Oxana Chusovitina, who will be competing in her fifth Olympics and representing her third country. Chinese officials denied the accusations, which have been a talking point in the run-up to the Games. She was one of those named in media reports that cited online registration records pointing to underage gymnasts competing for China. ![]() ![]() ![]() China may have a few new tricks compared to the 2007 world championships, including newcomer He Kexin, whose daredevil routines on the asymmetric bars have scored highly this year.
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