Is that Chinese gymnast really 16? Maybe not.
Did those Chinese gymnasts look a little young to you too? One in particular?
Gymnasts aren't allowed to compete in the Olympics until they're 16 years old.
Apparently, the age of China's He Kexin (below) has been reported below driving age multiple times. But a story by a Chinese government news agency that said she was 13 has since conveniently disappeared. Later her age was "corrected" from 14 to 16 in a story in the official english language newspaper of the Chinese government. Check out this AP story .
Listen, I went to high school with a girl who was a fairly serious gymnast in her younger years. I understand the lifestyle produces underdeveloped looking girls. But this Chinese girl is the youngest looking one I've ever seen. A colleague of mine, before I made her aware of the 16-year-old rule, in all seriousness guessed she was 8.
About Clay
Clay Fowler has been covering high school sports for six years in California and Texas. He was born in Dallas, attended the University of Texas and worked in Central Texas before joining the Daily Bulletin staff in 2006.
Email Clay here
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