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The 19 year-old Japanese gymnast, Shoko Miyata will no longer be competing in the 2024 Paris Olympics as she was sent home for smoking and drinking alcohol. Not only is this a violation of the team's code of conduct, but it also goes against Japan's legal drinking age of 20.
Her coach, Mutsumi Harada, confirmed that she was dealing with a lot of pressure as a result of the competition. Therefore, he has urged people to be understanding. Unfortunately, her dismissal means that her team will be at a disadvantage, with only four athletes instead of five.
Discussion
Do you think Shoko Miyata's punishment for the smoking and drinking violation was appropriate? Why or why not?
How might Miyata's departure affect the morale and performance of the Japanese gymnastics team at the Olympics?
What qualities should a team captain possess, and how does this incident reflect on Miyata’s leadership?
How can national sports organizations better support athletes who are struggling with pressure and mental health issues?
Should sports organizations have strict non-negotiable rules, or should there be room for flexibility depending on the situation?
If you got a chance to speak to Miyata, following this incident, what would you say to her?