BEIJING, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Gymnastics Association (CGA) on Saturday expressed strong regret to International Gymnastics Federation (FIG)'s sanction on former Chinese artistic gymnast Dong Fangxiao.
In a press release, the CGA said," From the concrete and objective evidence available, there is no problem in Dong Fangxiao's age and thereafter we feel greatly regret to FIG's sanction."
Earlier on Saturday, the FIG said on the front page of its website that its executive committee had decided to withdraw the bronze medal obtained by Ms. Dong with the Chinese team at the Sydney Olympics and to cancel all her results gained in the world championships, world cup series and world cup final in the period of 1999-2000.
The FIG said," Qualification rules for the Sydney Olympics required that an athlete be a minimum of 16 years old in the year of the Olympics. Dong's registration with the IOC and the FIG indicated a Jan. 20, 1983 date of birth. But she declared her birth date as Jan. 23, 1986 during the Beijing Olympics when she was accredited to act as Secretary at vault."
The CGA said," We have long been cooperating with the FIG on the investigation of this matter and already provided the FIG, as requested before the investigation, with the relating information in detail."
"We will further find out the relating information of this matter and reserve the right for explanation or appeal," the CGA added.
It noted," the CGA has been constantly strengthening and perfecting the administration of gymnasts, seriously practicing FIG Statutes and Regulations and shall strictly check every detail on gymnasts' participation."
Related:
Chinese Olympic champion gymnasts cleared over age
LONDON, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- Chinese female gymnasts suspected of being underage at the Beijing Olympics have been cleared by the International Gymnastic Federation (FIG) but the women's team that won the bronze medal in the Sydney Games in 2000 will face further investigation.
The FIG said on Wednesday in a statement that the documentation provided confirms that all Chinese women Olympians were old enough after a five-week investigation. Full story
