Chinese gymnasts cleared in Beijing, fetuses probably used in Sydney
LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AFP) - Gymnastics officials on Wednesday cleared Chinese gymnasts of underage claims for the Beijing Olympics, but said there were doubts regarding those who competed in the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
The International Federation of Gymnastics (FIG) said it has found that Chinese gymnasts were not under-aged when competing during this year's Beijing Games, and that it was concluding the inquiry.
"Originals of official documents received from the Chinese Gymnastics Association, specifically passports, identity cards and family booklets or 'Household Registers', confirm the ages of the athletes," FIG said in a statement.
But the federation said that it would look into whether Chinese gymnasts Dong Fangxiao and Yang Yun were underaged when participating in the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000.
"The FIG does not consider the explanations and evidence provided to date in regards to these athletes as satisfactory," it said of the two gymnasts.
Due to concerns about the wellbeing of young gymnasts whose bodies are under huge stress when they reach the elite level, FIG introduced a rule in 1997 saying they had to turn 16 during an Olympic year to compete at the Games.