China Stripped of 2000 Olympics Gymnastics Medal

In a follow up to our March 26, 2010 post China has been stripped of the women's team gymnastics bronze medal from the 2000 Sydney Olympics.  Gymnasts must turn the age of 16 during the year of the Olympics to be eligible.  Chinese gymnast Dong Fangxiao was found by the International Olympic Committee to be 14 at the time and therefore ineligible.  The team bronze medal will be reallocated to the U.S. women's team.

Age Fixing in Olympic Gymnastics

Chinese Gymnast Dong Fangxiao was recently found to be 14 years old when she competed in the all-around event at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney.  The minimum required age is 16.  Evidence of her age was found on her blog and for her work with the Chinese team in Beijing.  The International Gymnastics Federation has recommended that China be stripped of its team bronze medal.  If the International Olympic Committee disqualifies Fangxiao the United States would inherit the bronze medal.