North Korean gymnast – APPEAL REJECTED.
Doha (QAT) – AGU Office, October 14, 2010: On October 01, 2010, the FIG has initiated a disciplinary procedure against the Gymnastics Association of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (PRK) and their gymnast Ms. Hong Su Jong for alleged age infractions and false registrations.
On October 6 the President of the FIG Disciplinary Commission in charge of this case – based on Art. 20 of the FIG Code of Discipline and the evidence in his hands – has taken immediate action and provisionally suspended the Gymnastics Association of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (PRK) and their Gymnast Ms. Hong Su Jong, as of 6th October 2010 for a period of 30 days. The Federation is therefore not allowed to participate in the forthcoming Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Rotterdam and any other International or National event.
The Federation and the Gymnast had a right to be heard in writing and the right to make an appeal to the FIG Appeal Tribunal within 5 days.
11th October, the Gymnastics Association of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (PRK) has filed an appeal to the FIG Appeal Tribunal against this decision. As foreseen in the FIG Code of Discipline, the appeal had to be judged by the President of the FIG Appeal Tribunal within 5 days.
Today October 14, 2010, the appeal has been rejected
Indeed, the arguments and explanations provided do not justify a reconsideration of the provisional decision made by the President of the FIG Disciplinary Commission.
Consequently, the suspension, which was announced on 6 October 2010, will not be lifted. The Gymnastics Association of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (PRK) is not allowed to compete at national and international levels.
According to the procedure, the FIG Disciplinary Commission will meet in the near future and will invite the parties to a hearing, before finalizing and delivering its conclusions to the FIG Presidential Commission.
