>>>>>>And to add to that, having such a one-man-show phenomenon, like Phelps, does somewhat bump up the gold score for the USA. There aren't other phenomena like him in other sports in other teams to likewise bump up their scores.
>>>>>
>>>>>I'd put the Chinese diving team in this same category. They compete in 8 total events. So far they have 4 golds with 4 individual events to go.
>>>>
>>>>Their diving team is amazing, isn't it?
>>>
>>>Wasnt there an age issue with the Chinese gymnasts? Did they crank out some birth certificates?
>>
>>Apparently china doesn't do birth certs (or they don't want to show them). Their 'proof' of age is their passports which the government faked to show whatever age they wanted.
>
>I figured as much. Some of those kids look like they may be 14 tops. Apparently when you hit 16, you're over the hill.

Bela Karolyi has been saying exactly that, that they're 12-14. He may be biased, with his wife being the U.S. team coach, but that's what it looks like to me, too.

It came up in one of the telecasts the other night why it would be an advantage to compete when you're younger than the stated minimum. The color analyst, Tim somebody, a former U.S. gymnast, said it's because gymnastics takes such a toll on your body, plus burnout. He said that's an even bigger factor in the Chinese system, where the athletes literally start at age 3.

One of my few complaints about the Games so far is the cameras being up so close to the gymnasts. It has been especially noticeable with the U.S. women's team. They're young, too, but that is one media savvy young bunch. You can tell their words and gestures (embraces etc.) are directed half at their teammates and half at the TV audience. They know very well they're not only being watched when they perform, they're being watched and listened to on the sideline. And the coach! (Marta Karolyi, who took over from Bela a few years ago). OMG. You quickly notice how she always positions herself in the ideal camera frame when the camera is over there getting up close and personal. I think she would knock her athletes out of the way if she had to, LOL.