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Thursday, 17 November 2005 |
Olympic legend Matthew Pinsent stunned by Chinese traning
Olympic legend Sir Matthew Pinsent has been left shocked by the
treatment of young gymnasts in Beijing as China prepares to stage the
Games in 2008.
Four-times gold medallist Sir Matthew Pinsent made an investigation
into training methods for the forthcoming Games and claimed children
were in pain while practicing. Sir Matthew Pinsent said: "It was a
pretty disturbing experience. I was really shocked by some of what was
going on."
The International Gymnastics Federation has promised to seek clarification of the matter.
Sir Matthew Pinsent's report also claimed a boy had been beaten by his
coach and he said: "I know it is gymnastics and that sport has to start
its athletes young, but I have to say I was really shocked.
"I was wondering whether the western approach compared to the eastern
approach is a bit different, but I do think those kids are being
abused."
Sir Matthew Pinsent felt children were being pushed beyond acceptable
limits in pursuit of sporting perfection and was disappointed that it
appeared to be regarded as necessary.
He said: "When I talked to the vice-principals, they said hitting was
against the law, but then there were parents who want you to do it.
"They said this is what they needed to do to make them hard."
The choice of Beijing to host the Games has been condemned in some quarters because of the country's poor human rights record.
Sir Matthew Pinsent is a former member of the International Olympic
Committee and current member of the British Olympic Association.
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