Gymnast age at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney

LAUSANNE (SUI), FIG Office, June 23, 2009: In the affair involving female gymnasts Dong Fangxiao and Yang Yun, members of China’s 2000 Olympic Team in Sydney and suspected of having violated minimum age requirements for participation in Olympic competitions, the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) has decided to pursue its investigation.

The decision was taken after the Federation sought a legal advice confirming that the statute of limitations had not yet expired, and that the FIG is in fact the authority competent to conduct a full investigation.

A Disciplinary Commission was established by the Executive Committee on June 19th, 2009. The panel will be chaired by Mr Rached Gharbi (TUN), alongside two members, Ms Margarida Dias Ferreira (POR) and Mr Marc Schoenmaekers (BEL).

The Commission is requested to examine the case and draw its own conclusions as to whether or not the age limit was violated. In the affirmative, the Disciplinary Commission will propose sanctions to the Executive Committee.

The Disciplinary Commission will bring a decision by the next FIG Executive Committee meeting in Lausanne (SUI), scheduled for the end of September, at the latest.