16

I love the Olympics... These Olympics have been especially interesting because they are taking place in China, a communist country.  First we find that some of the fireworks during the opening ceremonies, were computer generated.  Then we find the cute little girl singing so beautifully was actually lip sinking - the real singer was seen as unfit because her teeth were not perfect...... Now there are major questions about the ages of the gold medal gymnast.  Several sources are saying that their passports are fake and half of them are under 14 - the legal age to participate is 16. 

This from the NYT:

"One of the girls has a missing tooth," [U.S. coordinator Martha] Karolyi said, suggesting that the gymnast was so young that she lost a baby tooth and had yet to have a permanent one emerge...

Half of the team - He Kexin, Yang Yilin, Jiang Yuyuan - would be under age, according to online sports registration lists in China. The international gymnastics federation, however, said those gymnasts were eligible and that the ages on their passports were correct...

Because China and the United States competed on the same events each rotation, it was easier to notice differences in their body types. The Chinese gymnasts lack curves, have an average height of 4 feet 9 inches and weigh an average of 77 pounds. Deng is the smallest, at 4-6 and 68 pounds. The women on the United States team, generally more muscular and shapely than the Chinese, are an average of 3 ½ inches taller and 30 pounds heavier.

I know looks can be deceiving, but do they look 16 to you?

china

 
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10 Comments on China's sweet 16

AUG
13
2008
653,568 Points 9 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

I have not watch one second of the Olymipics...I would really like to...
3:58pm • #1
128,993 Points 3 Featured Posts

Yeah there is no way that all those girls are 16.  maybe the one on the far left she is probably about 18-20  but the rest of them look like there 10-14
4:05pm • #2
404,039 Points 16 Featured Posts Outside Blog

I don't think there is any doubt that these young girls are exactly that - young girls, not 16 year olds. Having said that, there is nothing that can be done because the only requirement is a passport and the passport says they are all 16.
4:16pm • #3

I have been rather addicted to the olympics, and my husband and I had this conversation last night as I was watching the womens gymnastics.  The passports were issued by the Government, and the Government wanted the girls to represent their country,  It would be very easy to fake a number on a goverment issued passport if it was the government that wanted them to represent them.  I do not believe all of the girls are of age, but I do not think anything will be done about it either.  The girls are amazingly talented gymnasts though.
4:20pm • #4

Love it.  The Opening Ceremony was beyond words.  Hope to see more during the next week or so.

Good luck to you,

Carole
4:20pm • #5
563,876 Points 17 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Susan - I would never try to guess a woman's age, I get in enough trouble without that. Yes, they do look very young, however, I will say that they don't look much younger than some of the women that I have worked with in China that had university degrees. Ok, I admit, none of them ever looked as young as the girl on the right who looks 10, maybe.

I did watch much of the gymnastics last night, but missed that last two rotations.
7:19pm • #6
404,039 Points 16 Featured Posts Outside Blog

The opening ceremony was intimidating! I mean you had 15,000 performers (that was the number I saw, but 2008 of them on the stadium floor at any one time) all marching and performing in perfect lock step - without any markings on that stadium floor. They were almost robotic and the message I got was one of control. Now imagine those same 15,000 performers with automatic weapons in their hands.............
9:24pm • #7
817,124 Points 16 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Susan ~ China is cheating and everyone knows it. If it is not won fairly, it is not won at all.
9:53pm • #8
AUG
14
2008
141,052 Points 2 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Susan - I have not been able to catch much the Olympics, just some of the swimming matches. America is doing great by the way.  I love the gymnastics as well but I haven't seen them.  Even though Chinese people are relatively small, these girls in no way look 16.
5:39am • #9

Mike - you're a smart man...

Simon - isn't control what Communism is all about?

Nicholas - Maybe this help shed some light on what that country is all about.  I read somewhere they take some of these athletes from their families as early as age 4 to train.  Never been there, but have always been intrigued by their history and culture.

Tanya - great to hear from you!
6:15am • #10


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Susan McQuaide

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