Apr 28, 2010
China stripped of bronze medal
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The International Olympic Committee acted after investigations by the sport's governing body determined that Dong Fangxiao (above right) was only 14 at the 2000 Games. Gymnasts must turn 16 during the Olympic year to be eligible. -- PHOTO: AP
<!-- story content : start --> DUBAI (United Arab Emirates) - CHINA was stripped of a bronze medal from the 2000 Sydney Olympics on Wednesday for fielding an underage gymnast, with the women's team medal now going to the United States. The International Olympic Committee acted after investigations by the sport's governing body determined that Dong Fangxiao was only 14 at the 2000 Games. Gymnasts must turn 16 during the Olympic year to be eligible. Ms Dong's results from Sydney were nullified in February by the International Gymnastics Federation.
Because her scores contributed to China winning the team bronze, the FIG recommended the IOC take the medal back. As expected, the IOC executive board upheld the request and formally stripped the medal on the first day of a two-day meeting in Dubai. The US women, who had been fourth, move up to the bronze.The IOC said Ms Dong was also stripped of her sixth-place result in the individual floor exercises and seventh place in the vault. Calls to the Chinese Gymnastics Association and the media officers for the Chinese gymnastics team went unanswered late on Wednesday. Ms Dong now lives in New Zealand with her husband. -- AP
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