FIG Investigating China's 2000 Team, Too

China's gold medal gymnasts aren't the only ones whose ages are getting a closer look.

In this Sept. 19, 2000 file photo, Chinese gymnasts Yang Yun, left, and Dong Fangxiao wave flowers...

In this Sept. 19, 2000 file photo, Chinese gymnasts Yang Yun, left, and Dong Fangxiao wave flowers after recieving the bronze medal in the women's gymnastic team finals at the 2000 Summer Olympic Games in Sydney. The investigation into the ages of China's gold-medal women's gymnastics team has been expanded to include members of the 2000 team that won a bronze in Sydney, the Associated Press has learned. International gymnastics officials are examining whether Yang Yun and Dong Fangxiao, in particular, were old enough to compete at the Sydney Olympics. Gymnasts must turn 16 during the Olympic year.

(Amy Sancetta, File/AP Photo)
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The investigation into the eligibility of the Chinese women's team in Beijing has been expanded to include members of the 2000 squad, which won the bronze medal in Sydney, The Associated Press has learned.

International gymnastics officials are examining whether Yang Yun and Dong Fangxiao, in particular, were old enough to compete.

"If we had a look at all the articles that came before, during and after the games, there were always rumors about the ages of China's athletes in Sydney," Andre Gueisbuhler, secretary general of the International Gymnastics Federation, told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

"We did not have another choice," he said. "If we want to remain credible, then we have to look into things."

No other Chinese teams are being investigated, Gueisbuhler said.

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"At this moment in time, we just have concerns about 2000 and 2008," he said.

The investigation is ongoing, a month after the Beijing Games ended, and there is no timetable for when it will be finished.

"It's a work in progress," said Emmanuelle Moreau, spokeswoman for the International Olympic Committee. "Until the work has been completed, there is nothing we can say."

Zhang Hongliang, a media officer for the Chinese Gymnastics Center, which oversees the Chinese national team, said he didn't know anything about an investigation into the Sydney athletes. The center would "promptly provide information" to the FIG, Zhang said.

Yang's age has long been an issue for debate.

In a June 2007 interview that aired on state broadcaster China Central Television, Yang said she was 14 at the Sydney Games.

Gymnastics rules require athletes to be 16 during an Olympic year in order to compete.

"At the time I was only 14," she said in the interview, done in Chinese. "I thought that if I failed this time, I'll do it again next time. There's still hope."