China says gymnasts all eligible

By John Ruwitch

BEIJING (Reuters) - China said on Friday that all its gymnasts were eligible to compete in the Olympics after doubts were raised about the age of double gold medalist He Kexin.

The International Olympic Committee has asked the International Gymnastics Federation to investigate claims that He is younger than the eligible age of 16 to compete.

"The women athletes we had in these Olympics were in total compliance with the age requirement," Chinese gymnastics head coach Huang Yubin told a news conference.

"Since Asian bodies are not the same as Westerners', there have been questions. But there shouldn't be."

He, registered at the Beijing Olympics as 16, won team gold and a gold on the asymmetric bars. She was registered as having been born on January 1, 1992. Gymnasts must turn 16 in the year of the Games to be allowed to compete.

"Given that there have been some discrepancies regarding her age that have come to light, we have asked the FIG to look into this matter," an IOC official told Reuters.

"It is because of these discrepancies that we have asked for this investigation to start."

Lu Shanzhen, coach of the women's gymnastics team said the Chinese Gymnastics Association on Thursday gave "relevant documents" to the IOC and the International Gymnastics Federation.

"The Chinese Gymnastics Association registered its athletes in complete compliance with the requirement of the International Gymnastics Federation," Lu told the same news conference.

"These questions are being asked because China's women's gymnastics team created a strong competition for the U.S. team."

(Writing by Guo Shipeng and Nick Macfie; editing by Keith Weir)