Gymnast not upset by age row

2008-08-29 14:11

Hong Kong - The Chinese gold medal-winning gymnast at the centre of an Olympic age dispute said on Friday that she wasn't upset by the controversy.

He Kexin - who won two golds in Beijing - and four other members of China's women's gymnastics team were subject to persistent questioning about their ages, prompting an ongoing investigation at the urging of the International Olympic Committee.

Some media reports and online documents suggested He could be 14, but she and Chinese officials insisted she's 16. Gymnasts must turn 16 during the Olympic year to be eligible to compete.

Asked about the controversy during a news conference on Friday in Hong Kong, He said, "I don't get upset because I have answered this question many times, there's no need to explain anymore."

He beat American Nastia Liukin to win the uneven bars title in Beijing, and also was part of China's gold-winning women's team.

China's deputy sports minister Cui Dalin insisted on Friday that He was born on Jan. 1, 1992, and that all China's gymnasts conformed to the requirements for participation in the games.

Chinese gold medallists arrived in Hong Kong on Friday for a three-day visit during which they will show off their sports techniques, attend a variety show and visit the Hong Kong Disneyland.

- SAPA