North Korea Gymnasts Banned from 2012 Olympics

The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) ruled that Hong Su Jong listed three different birth dates in registering for international competitions since 2003 until this year. This means that she would have been too young to compete in the 2004 Athens Olympics. Age falsification has been a problem in gymnastics since the 1980s. The minimum age was raised from 14 to 15 to help protect still-developing athletes from serious injuries in the 80's. Since 1997 however, gymnasts must turn at least 16 in the calendar year of an Olympics to be eligible. "The FIG's decision is a clear signal to those who would willfully disregard the current rules surrounding gymnast age," the FIG said in a statement. "The health of its athletes and respect for the law are among the International Gymnastics Federation's highest priorities." With that being said, last Friday the federation said it was effectively banning North Korea from any competition outside its borders until Oct. 5, 2012. In the ruling, Hong was also barred from national competitions and the North Korean federation also was fined $20,800. This kind of behavior shown from North Korea falls under over-conformity to norms, but in this case they are not playing through injury but through age. I understand where North Korea is coming from working in the gymnastics industry myself. I know that athletes peak at a young age in gymnastics due to their flexibility and strength but, at the same time, during a child's adolescence is when they are growing developing the most. I find it inconsiderate of coaches to not take that into account when they are trying to force their athletes into the Olympics.