Association distances itself from judge's case

BEIJING - Officials from China's gymnastics governing body said on Thursday the country has been informed of the International Gymnastics Federation's (FIG) disciplinary action against a Chinese judge and insisted the association had nothing to do with the alleged offense.

"We have received the notice from FIG and we have informed judge Shao Bin of this," said Pan Chenfei, deputy secretary of the Chinese Gymnastics Association. "We are investigating the incident and if the offense is found to be true, we will take action against him.

"China is strict with its judge management and it's intolerable for them to go against FIG rules. The association never gave him any instructions or orders to do this. It was his decision."