He Kexin Olympic bar champ?

[Ingymmom]

Originally Posted by Rec Coach

More drama! Check out this post at Gym Blog

He Kexin is ‘14,’ according to the People’s Daily Online The Gymblog

The newspaper "corrected" their age statement. I am so curious to know what the truth is... BUT I am certain if she is only 14 we shall never know

Gymnastics Coaching Blog Archive more doubt about the age of He Kexin

[Ingymmom]

The Chinese gymnastics culture is very interesting in how they choose their gymnasts & how the girls feel they are wasting the coaches time if they can't perform. Tx Bogwoppit for bringing her to my attention. I am enthralled by her routine - it truly is amazing!

I really wish they would have at least mentioned the age controversy. If she would have confirmed her own age, it would have made it much more believable.

YouTube - He Kexin Documentary (English Subtitled)

[iluvgym]

I think the girls are pretty much shielded from that stuff, she probably doesn't even know there IS a controversy!

[egymnast123]

that was perfect!!! the age limit should be lowered but its not fair for her to go to the olympics when shes 14 and no one from the us can i think her bar routine looks better than nastias. dont the have he same difficulty 7.7

[Ingymmom]

Another article on He Kexin. Just as we suspected nothing can really be done to prove the age discrepancies and despite what most believe, she will compete in Beijing by providing her passport "prrof of age". Also mentions Jiang Yuyuan as possibly not even turning 15 this year, another member of the Chinese Olympic team. Well, may the best woMAN win


http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/27/sp...ewanted=1&_r=1

[gracefulone]

I really don't know what to think. I tend to think the best of people, so I really do want to believe the federation. That being said, I also understand the Chinese government, and how easily they can manipulate their own people. I also know that China wants to win so badly. I wrote in a different post of the Chinese sports school where they have essentially brainwashed young athletes and trained them to win-for the pride of the country. They've pulled these kids away from their families, and their only education is that of their sport-the one the government chooses for them. So the desire to win is just gargantuan.

However, if He Kexin is indeed 16, I believe she has the advantage. Yes-her and Nastia have the same start value, but she has one thing Nastia doesn't: consistency. She goes out and hits that routine just about every time. Nastia has a troublesome dismount, and has been off on her Paks lately. So Nastia is really going to have to hit to contend for the gold.

[momofagymmie]

I've read that too. She's 14 and they are trying to cover it up with a new passport which shows a "92 birthday. You can tell just by her body that she's not 16. It's such a sham. Sorry to see it happen.

[midwestgymmom]

I see NBC olympics website's newest gymnastics update mentions He's age discrepancy

2008 Beijing Summer Olympics - Gymnastics | Athlete Profiles, Blogs, Videos & Photos | NBC Olympics

Even though He's routine is amazing. I hope if they're cheating they still get beat by Nastia or Beth.

[gracefulone]

Originally Posted by midwestgymmom

I see NBC olympics website's newest gymnastics update mentions He's age discrepancy

2008 Beijing Summer Olympics - Gymnastics | Athlete Profiles, Blogs, Videos & Photos | NBC Olympics

Even though He's routine is amazing. I hope if they're cheating they still get beat by Nastia or Beth.

Don't forget Ksenia!!!

[Shawn]

Why does FIG have to take the passport as proof of age? That can easily be faked by a government that wants to. Wouldn't requiring birth certificates be better?