The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has ordered an investigation into allegations Chinese authorities falsified the age of a double gold medal winning gymnast because she was too young to compete.
China's He Kexin, who won team gold in artistic gymnastics an individual title on the asymmetric bars, was registered as being born on January 1, 1992, meeting the rule that gymnasts must at least turn 16 in the year of the Olympics.
There have been persistent media allegations He competed in earlier tournaments under a later birthdate. On Thursday an American computer expert said he had uncovered Chinese state documents that proved she was 14 and not 16.
The caption on a photograph published by Chinese state news agency Xinhua last year referred to "13-year-old He Kexin," while China Daily reported in May that she was 14.
An IOC official said the gymnastics federation would look into "discrepancies" over He's age but Games organizers were at pains to stress she had already been cleared to compete.
"Everything that has been received so far shows we have no problem of eligibility for these competitors," said the IOC's sports director Christophe Dubi.
IOC spokeswoman Giselle Davies added the organization wanted to clear up the matter 100 percent "and put it to rest."
The age rule was introduced in 1997 to protect gymnast's health, and China's gymnastics coach told a news conference all the team "were in total compliance with the age requirement."
"Since Asian bodies are not the same as Westerners', there have been questions, but there shouldn't be," Chinese head coach Huang Yubin said. A finding is likely to come well after the Games end on Sunday and the intense media focus moves elsewhere.
China has invested billions in selecting and training its athletes from a young age, an effort rewarded by top spot in the medals table, with 46 golds. China says this has shown it has the sporting prowess to match its rising superpower status.
There has been criticism of the system even from within China, with one former Olympic medalist saying many children who specialize in sport are left without sufficient education or social skills.
