Posted on 08/17/2008 10:11:47 AM PDT by AJKauf
Chinese coaches tried to hide the ages of the girls with “enough makeup to shame a drag queen,” but no amount of lipstick and eyeliner can hide the fact that the American gymnasts have curves and breasts and the Chinese ones don’t. On average, the girls on the Chinese team are 3.5 inches shorter and 30 pounds lighter than their American counterparts....
(Excerpt) Read more at pajamasmedia.com ...
Yes, pointing out genetic differences makes me a troll... Ever seen a 21 year old Thai, or Malay woman? Compare them to a 16 year old American teenager - straight up.
Looks are quire deceiving when you go across races...
Which is why I asked my female Chinese friend what her opinion was. She said "those girls are maybe 13 years old".
(are there tests that can verify ages?)
The misnomer on the part of pajamasmedia must be noted: children are stealing anything. The Chinese gov’t, however, is...
“12 years ago, 15 year old American teens looked like 15 year olds. Now 12 year old American girls look like they are 17.”
The main reason being higher percentage of bodyfat due to more sedentary lifestyles - something gymnasts from all countries do not suffer from.
I will repeat my observations.
Chinese girls who are adopted by americans and placed in gymnastics programs will not appear to be 10 years old when they are really 16.
16 year olds from any country will not retain baby teeth.
16 year old chinese gymnasts, in past olympic games (except for Athens) looked older than these girls.
My physical therapist is a 46 year old Thai grandmother (her grandson is 5 years old). When I arrived for my first session I thought she was the receptionist. I was shocked she wasn’t the 22 I thought, and that she had two advanced degrees.
For a 5 foot tall, 100 pound woman she can seriously wrench on a limb!
That’d be a good SNL skit - having to take a timeout to change diapers.
A great summary. One has to wonder about a sport where being 12 is an advantage that can not be overcome. Perhaps these events should simply be eliminated. They are chlidish.
“I don’t see a lot of curves on any of them, American or Chinese,”
Our girls had hips and breasts.
Our girls faces looked older.
Our girls had their adult teeth.
And the big giveaway - old articles about our girls in american competition consistently report their true age.
Older girls will also dance better and give a more mature presentation on beam and floor.
On the night of team competition the chinese put up a girl so immature she could not dance and was walking around the mat.
I was embarrassed for her.
“A great summary. One has to wonder about a sport where being 12 is an advantage that can not be overcome. Perhaps these events should simply be eliminated. They are chlidish.”
That isn’t entirely true.
It is a distinct advantage on uneven bars.
However, being older and mature can be an advantage when it comes to vault, tumbling, and showing grace and maturity while dancing.
That is why older girls won the all-around.
Michael Phelps ate all their food.......
Look closer...she may be short, but she is a woman. Unlike the Chinese in diapers.
Then penalize them. I’m not condoning the action or cheating at all! I’m just saying that you can’t just look and assume their age. Some races just look younger and stay smaller and slimmer and flatter than others.
Looks ARE deceiving...
Other than not following the OIC rules, which is not a good precedent for other reasons, I could care less. Let whoever’s best win - no matter what age they are. If a 9 or 14 year old can whoop up on their elders who have had much more time to practice & hone their skills, all the more power to them I say.
You hit the nail on the head. Was watching a bit of coverage and the announcer said that after the last games, China did a study on the medal heavy sports, focused their efforts on where they could get the most golds, and then set about to dominate those sports.
It’s gotta be a communist self-esteem thing. Reminds me of the East German “women” swimmers of the 70’s and 80’s. Those women had more facial hair than I did due to steroids and blood doping.
In all likelihood, the Chinese will get away with it. People are too intimidated.
I agree with your article.
There are medical tests to determine age like the ossification of bones.
Well the IOC do it?
I am not hopeful.
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