Yueling Chen Blocked from US Olympic Team by China 2000 Sydney Olympic Games Womens 20K Walk

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Yueling Chen Earns US Olympic Slot
But Blocked by Chinese Olympic Committee

Chen at Sacramento
Olympic Trials
July, 2000

Dateline: August 1, 2000:    Yueling Chen was the first Chinese track athlete to win a gold medal at the Olympic Games - in the 10,000 meter walk at Barcelona, 1992. She emigrated to the US in 1993 and achieved citizenship on April 12, 2000.
    Chen earned a berth on the US Olympic Team in the 20K Walk at the Sacramento Olympic Trials, July 16, coming in second behind Michelle Rohl but still within the A standard. However, International Olympic Committee (IOC) Charter Rule 46.2 requires that there be a three year waiting period after acquiring new citizenship before allowing an athlete to compete for a new country. This period can be waived, but both of the following are required:
1) the agreement of both the former and new National Olympic Committees and the International Federation for that sport, and
2) the approval of the IOC Executive Board.
    The Chinese National Olympic Committee has informed the US Olympic Committee that they do not agree that Yueling Chen be allowed to compete for the US at the Sydney Olympic Games in September, 2000. This is despite previous approval in May, 2000 for her to represent the US in international competitions, and agreement to allow three other Chinese athletes to compete on the US Olympic Team.

Chen tries on her
US Olympic Team
uniform, July 2000

    "The rule is a good rule because it stops athletes that hop from one country to another. But Yueling retired in 1992 and got stamps from everyone in China to move to the US to continue her education. When she came to the US she did not train for six years. She proceeded to become a citizen by the normal process and in 2000 became a citizen. So, everything she has done has been the normal process. Some countries have one year, two years or immediately to become a citizen," said Chen's manager/coach Derek Boosey. "This rule can be overturned if the IOC decides to overturn it."
    Franklin Servan-Schreiber of the IOC, contacted August 8, commented, "The Olympic Charter states that an athlete has to wait three years after receiving a new citizenship before competing for her new nation, unless the prior nation agrees to the transfer. It is a very clear rule. The IOC does not get involved."
    "This move by the Chinese Olympic Committee is a little unexpected because they approved 2 table tennis players and 1 badminton player to represent the US. Even though Yueling's Olympic Trials time was not so great due to cramps (she was doubling up afterwards) she is considered a wildcard because her Chinese teammates have never beaten her," said Boosey.
    China denied accusations that they feared Chen would perform better than Chinese walkers, as quoted in Sports Illustrated: "Chen is no threat for China. The fact that she is not participating makes no difference to us," the spokesman said.
    What does the future hold for Yueling? "Yueling wants to at least march in the Olympic Opening Ceremony. She is an American citizen. This a women's issue and an American issue. Why should an American who has done everything right have this happen?" asked Boosey.
    The leading US Women's 20K walker, Michelle Rohl, said, "I agree that it is unfair that she is unable to compete, though the rule doesn't appear to be in her favor. She obviously is not trying to country hop, she wants to be a US citizen and has lived in this country for a number of years so it appears that China is just being vindictive."

Chen with her
1992 Olympic Gold Medal
and model of statue

Chen remains a national hero in China, with a life-sized bronze statue in her hometown and intense media interest in her since she resumed her racewalking career and made the US Olympic Team. Since attending college in the US, Chen has worked in marketing for a nutritional company. She also is very active in charity work with the Special Olympics, Senior Olympics, and racewalking clinics. Ironically, she visited China this year to promote the Special Olympics China with the Great Wall charity event also featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger. The Chinese are using many images of Yueling Chen in their advertising for a bid for the 2006 Olympic Games.
While she had the blessing of the Chinese Olympic Committee to pursue her dreams in the US in 1993, those dreams are in danger today. The International Olympic Committee's Executive Committee could still grant Chen permission to represent the US. Yueling and coach Boosey hope that the Olympic Spirit will prevail in her case.

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