On August 21, 2008, an Internet hacker claimed to have found evidence that Google removed documents that revealed the age of gymnast He Kexin to be 14 - two years under the minimum age for participation in the Olympic games. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) asked the International Gymnastics Federation to investigate the allegations after the reports of altered birth certificates and Internet proof surfaced.Sydney Morning Herald: IOC calls for investigation into gymnast's age

The International Gymnastics Federation reportedly expanded the investigation to see if China used underage gymnasts when they won a bronze medals at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia. Two gymnasts in particular, Yang Yun and Dong Fangxiao, are the focus of the inquiry.ESPN.com: Inquiry into Chinese... to include 2000 Games

On August 12, 2008, the Chinese women's gymnastics team won the Olympic gold medal in the team competition, but critics are questioning the age of some of the team members. China has denied the claims that members are underage, using their passports as proof.SI.com: IOC turns blind eye to...China's kiddie gymnasts Critics point to the visual evidence such as their weight, slim build and even the missing tooth of one of China's team members.SI.com: IOC turns blind eye to controversy over China's kiddie gymnasts Certain online sports registration sites also list some of the Chinese competitors as underage.New York Times: Chinese grab gold in Gymnastics Critics also theorize that the International Olympic Committee is reluctant to investigate the matter since China is the host country for the Olympics.SI.com: IOC turns blind eye to controversy over China's kiddie gymnasts

"(Age) is a bigger problem than doping. I think it's more cheating than doping. To look in the eye of everybody and to show up with a team underage? My god, it's not good."--Bela Karolyi, former Olympic gymnastics coachSI.com: IOC turns blind eye to controversy over China's kiddie gymnasts

"I don't want to make a comment on that. I believe the officials will deal with it. I'll leave it at that."--Liang Chow, Gymnastics CoachSI.com: IOC turns blind eye to controversy over China's kiddie gymnasts

"I have no proof that they are underage, so I cannot make an affirmation. If it's true it's totally unfair. Certain countries go by the rules."--American team coach Martha KarolyiLos Angeles Times: China's big moment only raises more questions

"(Yang's age) is not an issue at all since the gymnastics team are already staying in the Olympic village."--Official with the Chinese Gymnastics AssociationThe National Post: Chinese Gymnasts Underage

"It's unfair that people keep saying the Chinese are too young to compete. If they think they can tell someone's age just by looking at them, well, if you look at the foreign athletes, they have so much more muscles than the Chinese. They are so strong. Do you then say that they are doping?"--Lu Shanzhen, China's Gymnastics CoachNew York Times: Chinese grab gold in Gymnastics

• AHN: Chinese Documents On Gymnasts' Ages OK So Far, IOC Says (August 25, 2008)

• USA Today: China Offers More Papers on Gymnasts' Ages (August 24, 2008)

• Sydney Morning Herald: IOC calls... (August 22, 2008)

• Olympics Blog (LA Times): Gymnastics' ageless age issue (August 21, 2008)

• New York Time: Records Say Chinese Gymnasts May Be Under Age (July 27, 2008)

• International Herald Tribune: Records suggest Chinese gymnasts ... underage (July 27, 2008)

• Los Angeles Times: China's big moment only raises more questions (August 13, 2008)

• National Post: China, IOC deny charges of underage gymnasts (August 13, 2008)

• New York Times: Chinese Grab Gold in Gymastics;US is Second (August 13, 2008)

• National Post: The age of dissent (August 12, 2008)

• Dallas News.com: Of age or not, Chinese gymnasts will battle ... (August 11, 2008)

• Los Angeles Times: More age monitoring for women's gymnastics (August 10, 2008)

• New York Times: The Teeny-Tiny Matter of Age for the Chinese ... (August 9, 2008)

• SI.com: Chinese gymnasts shine, but cloud remains (August 13, 2008)

• ESPN.com: Earlier state media report listed gymnast He's age as 13 (August 14, 2008)

• The Huffington Post: Documents Reveal Underage Chinese Gymnast (August 14, 2008)

• ESPN Video: Lukin and Karolyi on U.S. Women's Gymnastics (Time: 4:31)