China says no evidence that athlete on its Sydney Olympics gymnastics squad was underage

China says no evidence gymnast was underage

BEIJING — The Chinese Gymnastics Association says there is no concrete evidence to prove gymnast Dong Fangxiao’s age was a problem during competitions in 1999 and 2000, and that they reserve the right to file a challenge after its team was stripped of its bronze medal from the Sydney Olympics.

The International Olympic Committee ordered China to give back the women’s team bronze medal from Sydney, acting on evidence that Dong was only 14 at the time. The medals will now be awarded to the United States.

Gymnasts must turn 16 during the Olympic year to be eligible.