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Monday, September 1, 2008

Chinese Olympic Gymnast Not Upset by Age Dispute

The Chinese gold-medal winning gymnast at the center of an Olympic age dispute isn't upset by the controversy.

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

"I don't get upset because I have answered this question many times, there's no need to explain anymore," He said Friday in Hong Kong, where the Chinese gold medalists arrived for a three-day visit.

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.

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

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

While in Hong Kong, the Chinese gymnasts will show off their athletic expertise, attend a variety show and visit the Hong Kong Disneyland.