China denies under-age claims over gymnast

Chinese officials yesterday denied reports that a female gymnast had been entered for the Beijing Olympics despite being under the minimum age of 16.

Media reports in the US, citing online registration records, said China team member Yang Yilin was still 14. The report came a week after accusations that her team-mates He Kexin and Jiang Yuyuan were also under 16.

International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) rules state athletes have to turn 16 during an Olympic year to compete at the Games.

Yang has been registered by the Chinese Olympic Committee as being born on August 26, 1992, making her 16 two days after the Games close.

"Yang's age is not an issue at all since the gymnastics team are already staying in the Olympic village," an official with the Chinese Gymnastics Association, who would not give her name, told Reuters.

"That indicates all our gymnasts are eligible," she added.

Chinese team manager Zhang Peiwen said last week that He and Jiang were registered for the Olympic Games according to their official identity documents, which showed them to be 16 during Games time.