My Kiwi friends were always failures at trying to guess my real age. Most of them thought I was 16 or 18; everytime I heard this I was secretly delighted about looking so young.
It's the same feeling I get while reading the news full of suspicion andenvy: "Questions raised over age of gold medalist".
As my Kiwi friends know now, my real age is 26. But they have not held back in complaining that it is hard to guess Chinese people's ages. Meanwhile, I can't guess a mature looking westerner's age either.
Regarding the suspicion of Chinese gymnastic gold medalist He Kexin's age, I cannot tell which is the truth - the western media report, or the age shown clearly on Kexin's passport and ID.
I have never seen the proof which the western media write about, nor Kexin's passport.
All these reports were originally from the American media. Then media from other countries - whose favourite topic is any kind of gossip about the Beijing Olympics - reported and spread this "age" story everywhere like copycats.
Yes, "the rules restrict teens under 16 from competing in gymnastics were put into place to avoid the exploitation of younger gymnasts who have more flexible bodies". But the reality is Chinese or Asian people's body shape is much smaller than a westerner's.
We have the gift of doing gymnastics, just like big boned kiwis are good at rugby. That's it!
So don't be jealous. Everyone likes looking younger. Otherwise cosmetic business wouldn't be so profitable.
To be kind, I'd like to pass on some Chinese 'looking younger' tips.
We live on rice but not potatoes; we have as many vegetables as we can but not meat; many of our dishes include rich collagens, such as fish skin, chicken feet and pig feet which might be terrible for you.
This is our biggest secret about age.
Pictured above: The real age of Chinese gymnast He Kexin is under investigation. Photo / AP
