Olympic Newsdesk -- IOC Reprimands Executive Board Member; China Loses Medals; Silver Medalist Suspended

Chinese Lose Sydney Bronze

The IOC stripped the Chinese women's gymnastics team of the bronze medal from the 2000 Sydney Olympics because Dong Fanxiao was underage at the time of competition. The decision followed a recommendation by the International Gymnastics Federation, FIG, which made its own determination on Feb. 26.

The U.S. team, which placed fourth, will be awarded the medals at a later date.

The IOC noted that neither the athlete nor the Chinese Gymnastics National Federation appealed the FIG decision.

Athletes will also be moved up in floor exercise, where Dong was 6th, and vault, in which she placed seventh.

"USA Gymnastics is grateful that the FIG and IOC took the time to thoroughly review and address this issue that was first raised at the Beijing Olympics," said Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics.

"Every athlete dreams about winning an Olympic medal. In 2000, our athletes and coaches worked tirelessly leading up to the Olympics and this recognition will certainly have great meaning."

The U.S. medal count has already changed twice, with Marion Jones and the men's 4 x 400 meter relay stripped of medals for doping violations.

Rene Fasel Reprimanded by IOC EB

The IOC Executive Board today issued a reprimand to EB member and International Ice Hockey FederationPresident René Fasel for ‘breaching Rules Concerning Conflicts of Interests' and reminded him to respect the Olympic Charter and the Code of Ethics. The reprimand was issued late Wednesday in Dubai where the IOC EB is meeting.

Click here to read the full Ethics Commission report.

Silver Medalist Suspended for Doping Violation

2004 Silver medalist in race walking Francisco Javier Fernandez of Spain will have to sit out the next two years of competition.

Fernandez was suspended for possession of doping substances. It is not known what substances he was caught with.

Under the IOC’s anti-doping rules, he will be ineligible to compete at the 2012 Olympics, as any athlete with a doping suspension for more than six months will miss the next Olympics.

Fernandez’ suspension started Feb. 11.

Generations for Peace Institute Launch, New Partners

New IOC member Prince Feisal al Hussein says IOC recognition for Generations for Peace is helping it to meet ambitious plans for global expansion.

Speaking at SportAccord, the president of the Jordan Olympic Committee and founder of Generations for Peace announced that the first Generations For Peace Institute would open in Amman, Jordan in the autumn. The global peace through sport initiative, launched by Feisal in 2007, was recognized by the IOC last December.

"Our right to be associated with the Olympic Rings is an enormous honor, one that we will cherish, one that we will not treat lightly," he told an audience at the international sports convention meeting in Dubai.

Feisal also announced a new partnership with Georgetown University to provide three prestigious annual academic awards for the Conflict Resolution Program in the Department of Government.

He said 31 countries from two continents had already participated in the Generations for Peace programs. They specialize in training leaders of youth from regions in conflict on how to use the power of sport to build peace

"The institute will inspire high-level applied research in sport as apeace building and development tool," he said.

"We are also looking forward to working with Georgetown University whose international relations programmes are extremely highly regarded. The university also has a tradition of conducting innovative research to address critical conflicts around the world as well as a strong commitment to peace, social justice, and ethics."

The institute will continue to partner with academic institutions, research centers and scholars to provide the sport for peace and development community with knowledge and best practices in the field.

Generations for Peace will be holding its first ever camp for European delegates in Amman later this year. More than 70 delegates will come from 14 nations: Russia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Georgia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, FYR Macedonia, Cyprus, Turkey, Republic of Moldova, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, Uzbekistan, Kosovo, and Serbia.

Nationality Changes

The IOC approved nationality changes for cyclist Linda Villumsen from Denmark to New Zealand and swimmer Rebecca Achieng Ajulu-Bushell from Kenya to Great Britain. It also reduced the three-year waiting period - by just a few days in the case of the swimmer -- so they can compete in London in 2012 if they qualify.

Both athletes already possess passports from their new nations and had approvals from their former NOCs. Villumsen last competed for Denmark on Sept. 23, 2009, and Ajulu-Bushell last competed for Kenya on Aug. 1, 2009.

Written by Karen Rosen.