Chinese Gymnasts

[rsnider]

I admit that I have not a clue when it comes to the Chinese. But that said, while watching the qualifying for the women's gymnastics last night I would swear that a few of the Chinese "women" could not have possibly been more than 12 years old at the most. My wife says that they just look young. But I'm tellin' ya that they sure looked like little kids?

Did anyone else have the same thought?

[65fastback2+2]

two of them are probably 14 with government altered passports to say they are 16

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/27/sp...7gymnasts.html

[jswanzo]

they have proof that one or two of them are only 14, but their passports say they are 16 and that is all that matters. but at least 3 or 4 of those gymnasts looked like they were 12 ha ha.

How about that mens freestyle 400m? HELL YEAH!!!

[GRB60]

I thought so, too. My wife said "but their passports prove they're 16!" I pointed out that this means alot to the Chinese government-- the same people who issue passports.
She gets it now.

[bleedingfordblu]

it doesnt bother me, they do look really young but that was some crazy stuff they were doing, all of them.

[Machy uno]

Originally Posted by bleedingfordblu

it doesnt bother me, they do look really young but that was some crazy stuff they were doing, all of them.

It should bother everyone. The Olympic games are a staple in todays society, something that many people look forward to. They are supposed to be a honest, friendly and open compitition between all countries throughout the world. That being said, the rules are in place to set a boundary between competators to make sure that everyone is competing fairly. No drugs, no cheating, no fixing of events, and no advantages to any country. While some might say...they're young, whats the advantage of that...? Think about the girls in our country at 12, and at 16. Notice a difference....as in body type? Girls start to develop, as in curves, hips and breasts(not trying to be "incorrect" here, but it is the truth). These curves make it more difficult to do any gynastic routine, including flips, spins, bars, and the such. Just look how close they come to the bar when spinning around it...something that wouldn't be possible in a "well developed" girl. Ask any girl that was in gynastics, or even cheerleading for that matter if it became more difficult with development, they will almost positivly say..yes.. The Chinese have found a way to give themselves an advantage by using younger age girls....

[2k4mach]

lol yeah a couple them are defiantly young, but asians do look young even if they arent.

[devous1]

My family watched the gymnastics, including my 11 yr old daughter. It wouldn't suprise me if one or two of them were twelve or less. I don't recall the names but there was one Chinese girl that looked like she was about 10.

[Screaming04]

Trust me, no US or Canadian 12-14 year old could compete at that level. Those kids are programmed/trained by the state probably from the day they were born... not much of a life.

[Troll]

+1 what Uno said. I'm sure America has a few fourteen-year-olds we could throw in the mix to give us an advantage, but we didn't, because it's against the rules. China is brazenly cheating. That's how they do things, though, and everyone just lets it slide. In fact, they encourage it with stupid phrases like "This is China's century." I hope to God they're wrong about that.

The Olympics never should have been held in Beijing anyway. The air quality there is something like twelve times worse than the WHO recommendation for healthy air (according to independent tests--not China's tests). We shouldn't put our athletes in that situation.

jswanzo: You talking about the relay? The look on the Frenchies' faces after that race was priceless. That'll learn 'em to talk trash about America.

[Troll]

Originally Posted by Screaming04

Trust me, no US or Canadian 12-14 year old could compete at that level. Those kids are programmed/trained by the state probably from the day they were born... not much of a life.

http://www.sptimes.com/2004/06/04/Sp..._out__14.shtml

Our gymnasts do just fine without the need to be "programmed". Not a historian, but I'm sure we (America) had plenty of fourteen-year-olds compete and win in the Olympics before that rule went into effect.

[jswanzo]

troll:
yeah i was talking about that relay. so much for that stupid french guys prediction of "smashing" us. i was freaking out at home it was so awesome.

[Troll]

Me too. Lezak was flyin' at the end!

[Screaming04]

Originally Posted by Troll

http://www.sptimes.com/2004/06/04/Sp..._out__14.shtml

Our gymnasts do just fine without the need to be "programmed". Not a historian, but I'm sure we (America) had plenty of fourteen-year-olds compete and win in the Olympics before that rule went into effect.

Oh yeah??

Nastia's father and coach and a double gold medalist at the Seoul Olympics.

[Screaming04]

The Olympics never should have been held in Beijing anyway. The air quality there is something like twelve times worse than the WHO recommendation for healthy air (according to independent tests--not China's tests). We shouldn't put our athletes in that situation

[Troll]

Originally Posted by Screaming04

Oh yeah??

Nastia's father and coach and a double gold medalist at the Seoul Olympics.

I've never been one to read the articles I post.

So you're saying she was programmed? I stand corrected.

[Shaker1]

Originally Posted by Screaming04

Trust me, no US or Canadian 12-14 year old could compete at that level. Those kids are programmed/trained by the state probably from the day they were born... not much of a life.

Lessee, treated like a star (by Chinese standards anyhow) or living the meager life of an average Chinese citizen...not sure it would take much convincing.

[Machy uno]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26153578

Just the latest..questionable thing to happen at the Olympics in China. The overview of the story...A young 7 year old was deemed not cute enough for the opening ceremony, so they had a 9 year old lip sing to her voice. Imagine how this poor 7 year old feels after being told shes not pretty enough.

So that makes the opening ceremony having fire works added by cg before being broadcast, the under age girls, and the singing in the ceremony. What else will we find out, and what is there that we won't find out? I believe they are taking the perfection idea to the extreme.....and perhaps it was a mistake to let China host the games....

[ponygt65]

Am I the only one that doesnt' watch the olympics?

Honestly....I haven't watched it for A LONG TIME.

I could care less. People (IMO) get WAY TOO rouled up over it.

[Troll]

Originally Posted by ponygt65

Am I the only one that doesnt' watch the olympics?

Honestly....I haven't watched it for A LONG TIME.

I could care less. People (IMO) get WAY TOO rouled up over it.

Contrariwise, people (IMO) get way too riled up over Professional Football/Basketball/Baseball. What's it prove if your hometown has a great football team? It's not like any of the athletes are actually from there.
In the past, I didn't care about the Olympics much either. This year, though, I'd really like to see us beat China's medal count. I think they need to be taken down a notch, and we could use the ego boost.

Plus, Kerri Walsh is hott.

[ponygt65]

Originally Posted by Troll

Contrariwise, people (IMO) get way too riled up over Professional Football/Basketball/Baseball. What's it prove if your hometown has a great football team? It's not like any of the athletes are actually from there.
In the past, I didn't care about the Olympics much either. This year, though, I'd really like to see us beat China's medal count. I think they need to be taken down a notch, and we could use the ego boost.

Plus, Kerri Walsh is hott.

I have to agree.......some people do. But when it comes to the olympics, it seems there are more 'bandwagon' people than usual.

DELETED.......sorry, didn't want to open a can of worms.

IDK who KW is.

[ylopony]

Originally Posted by Troll

The Olympics never should have been held in Beijing anyway. The air quality there is something like twelve times worse than the WHO recommendation for healthy air (according to independent tests--not China's tests). We shouldn't put our athletes in that situation.

That's not the only reason they should not host. I don't believe any oppressive nation such as China, North Vietnam, and others should host an olympics. These nations do not deserve to be in the spotlight.

As for these olympics, I have watched about 30 minutes total. It's bad enough my shirts, pants, my daughters Barbies, my dogs collar, and the cat's food bowl were all made in China.

[Troll]

Kerri Walsh is Misty May's partner in beach volleyball. I don't think they've lost a single match since they took gold in Athens.

[we3hokies]

Originally Posted by Troll

Kerri Walsh is Misty May's partner in beach volleyball. I don't think they've lost a single match since they took gold in Athens.

Watching womens beach volleyball right now, it has become my new favorite sport!!!!

[Troll]

Originally Posted by we3hokies

Watching womens beach volleyball right now, it has become my new favorite sport!!!!

Uh huh. They're in great shape, butt...I've decided most of the girls have their hoo-has reduced so they don't interfere with the net so much. The Chinese still have theirs--guess that's because they're new to the sport.