China to co-operate with Sydney Olympics age probe

China has promised to co-operate with an International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) probe into the age of two Chinese medallists from the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

The FIG announced this week that it would investigate whether Yang Yun, the uneven bars bronze winner and her team-mate Dong Fangxiao, who shared a team bronze, were younger than the minimum Olympic age requirement of 16 at the time.

"The decision was taken after the federation sought a legal advice confirming that the statute of limitations had not yet expired, and that the FIG is in fact the authority competent to conduct a full investigation," it said in a statement.

The commission looking into the age of the gymnasts will report its findings, and recommendations for sanctions if a violation is confirmed.

If adjudged under age, Yang, wife of China's three-time Olympic champion Yang Wei, could be stripped of her bronze. The entire Chinese team of six could also lose their medals if any of the two is ineligible.

"Yang and Dong were registered under the FIG's Olympic entry procedure, and their ages were eligible," Lu Shanzhen, head coach of Chinese women's gymnastic team, said.

"We will positively communicate with FIG and co-operate in their investigation.

"The FIG might have some information but we don't know what they've got until we talk to them," Lu added.

During the Beijing Olympics last year, the FIG was ordered by the IOC to investigate the age of China's He Kexin, women's team and uneven bars gold medallist.

He Kexin, along with team-mates Jiang Yuyuan, Yang Yilin, Li Shanshan and Deng Linlin, were subsequently declared eligible by the FIG two months after they won China's first ever Olympic team gold in women's gymnastics.