Can I see some ID please?

Goodwill officials scramble to determine Chinese swimmer's identity

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Posted: Monday July 27, 1998 07:13 PM

NEW YORK (CNN/SI) -- China's swiming roster for the Goodwill Games included the name Yan Chen. But U.S. Swimming officials, realizing that China has two swimmers with that name, used the birthdate to try to determine which one was coming.

The Yan Chen born in 1981 is a world record-holder in the 400 individual medley who won two individual gold medals at this year's World Championships. The Yan Chen born in 1978 finished no better than fifth in an individual event in the world meet.

Noting that 1978 was the year of birth on the original application, the lesser Yan Chen was included in the media guide. But the final entry application has 1981 as the year of birth, so officials had to scramble Monday to update reporters that the more accomplished swimmer would compete Tuesday.

At least, they think so.

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