Views
6020
Comments
4242
  • 12:26 PM ET  08.13

By Larry Burke

Usually if an athlete is fudging his or her age, it's a Danny Almonte-type-deal -- an older player trying to gain an advantage by lopping off a few years. But China's female gymnasts, who won the gold medal in Wednesday's Olympic team competition, are facing the opposite accusation: That as much as half their team is younger than the minimum age of 16. What's the big deal? The U.S. lost to the Chinese fair and square, regardless of age. Would there be any questions had the U.S. held on and won the gold? I doubt it. 

What's your opinion of this controversy? Does it taint China's victory? Should the IOC have investigated the allegations more thoroughly? And with young athletes such as 14-year-old British diver Tom Daley competing in these Games, does gymnastics even need an age minimum?

Comment

Remember to keep your posts clean. Profanity will get filtered, and offensive comments will be removed.


Truth & Rumors

MOST POPULAR

  1. 1
    Howard considering five teams
    Views
    16263
    Comments
    1326
  2. 2
    Why A-Rod's unloading his dream home for $30M
    Views
    11089
    Comments
    528
  3. 3
    Alvin Gentry interested in Clippers job
    Views
    2207
    Comments
    338
  4. 4
    Why Tennessee's the problem in the SEC
    Views
    2968
    Comments
    142
  5. 5
    Unnamed Jet: Team through with Sanchez
    Views
    39046
    Comments
    97

SI.com

Swimsuit

SI Photos