Comments on: CBA Players And Myth About The Ages Of Chinese Women Gymnasts http://www.chinasportsreview.com/2008/11/26/the-ages-of-chinese-women-gymnasts/ Understanding The Middle Kingdom Through Sports Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:05:53 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: b. cheng http://www.chinasportsreview.com/2008/11/26/the-ages-of-chinese-women-gymnasts/comment-page-1/#comment-54 b. cheng Mon, 01 Dec 2008 08:06:32 +0000 http://www.chinasportsreview.com/?p=243#comment-54 This has been a big story in the Chinese papers, a lot of it has to do with the installing of a new system that enters the player's national ID card into the system, instead of using documents or player surveys. Interesting stuff, but its not always about malice, birthdates, even for regular Chinese, are often times varied or not nailed down, with different dates on certificates, ID cards, etc. This has been a big story in the Chinese papers, a lot of it has to do with the installing of a new system that enters the player’s national ID card into the system, instead of using documents or player surveys. Interesting stuff, but its not always about malice, birthdates, even for regular Chinese, are often times varied or not nailed down, with different dates on certificates, ID cards, etc.

]]> By: stuart http://www.chinasportsreview.com/2008/11/26/the-ages-of-chinese-women-gymnasts/comment-page-1/#comment-48 stuart Sun, 30 Nov 2008 00:36:36 +0000 http://www.chinasportsreview.com/?p=243#comment-48 Sorry, David. Missed that! Sorry, David. Missed that!

]]> By: David http://www.chinasportsreview.com/2008/11/26/the-ages-of-chinese-women-gymnasts/comment-page-1/#comment-47 David Sat, 29 Nov 2008 17:19:58 +0000 http://www.chinasportsreview.com/?p=243#comment-47 Thanks very much, Stuart. We added the link in the post. :) Thanks very much, Stuart. We added the link in the post. :)

]]> By: stuart http://www.chinasportsreview.com/2008/11/26/the-ages-of-chinese-women-gymnasts/comment-page-1/#comment-46 stuart Sat, 29 Nov 2008 09:46:35 +0000 http://www.chinasportsreview.com/?p=243#comment-46 It is common practise in China to lie about your age in order to gain an advantage, be it in the realm of sport, education, or whatever. Therefore, nothing in the linked to post comes as a surprise. I've read countless claims and denials relating to the ages of Chinese sports stars and athletes. For example, this excerpt from http://tiny.cc/aI9cw regarding Yi Jianlian: "Questions surround Yi's correct birthdate, his official passport in China has him listed as being born on October 27, 1987, but it has been rumored that his date of birth may have been intentionally falsified so to be eligible in junior competitions. The estimates of his birthday are between 1984 to 1987. In 2004, he was listed as being born in 1984 in China's Four Nation Tournament, although authorities said it was only a "typo". A Houston Chronicle article reported that Yi told Shane Battier he was 24 in an exhibition game before the 2006 FIBA World Championship [which occurred in August, before his October birthday]. However, Yi later denied the allegations." Findings, allegations, suspicions, evidence, denials, and 'typos'. Sound familiar? China, it seems, would have us believe that He Kexin and Yi Jianlian are about the same age. Both have been party to a deception although the greater fault lies with those representing them. It is common practise in China to lie about your age in order to gain an advantage, be it in the realm of sport, education, or whatever.

Therefore, nothing in the linked to post comes as a surprise. I’ve read countless claims and denials relating to the ages of Chinese sports stars and athletes. For example, this excerpt from http://tiny.cc/aI9cw regarding Yi Jianlian:

“Questions surround Yi’s correct birthdate, his official passport in China has him listed as being born on October 27, 1987, but it has been rumored that his date of birth may have been intentionally falsified so to be eligible in junior competitions. The estimates of his birthday are between 1984 to 1987.

In 2004, he was listed as being born in 1984 in China’s Four Nation Tournament, although authorities said it was only a “typo”.

A Houston Chronicle article reported that Yi told Shane Battier he was 24 in an exhibition game before the 2006 FIBA World Championship [which occurred in August, before his October birthday]. However, Yi later denied the allegations.”

Findings, allegations, suspicions, evidence, denials, and ‘typos’. Sound familiar?

China, it seems, would have us believe that He Kexin and Yi Jianlian are about the same age. Both have been party to a deception although the greater fault lies with those representing them.

]]>