Many elite athletes dream of representing their nation at the Olympics. Shoko Miyata was one of them. The 19-year-old had almost made it to Paris by a hair’s breadth. But while the Japanese women’s team captain was practicing at the pre-Olympic Camp in Monaco, an unforeseen event left her future in Paris bleak. This was going to be Miyata’s debut in the Summer Games, a feat she shares with her 4 teammates. The Japanese women’s gymnastics team hadn’t left an indelible mark at the Olympics after the bronze they won at the 1964 Tokyo Summer Games.

But with Miyata on board, they were looking to shake things up. However, after noticing her absence at a public practice session on July 17th, many seemed to wonder where she was. Shortly after, her disqualification from the team was announced. As she promptly made her way back to her homeland, Miyata’s participation status was still up in the air. But it looks like her Parisian affair has now come to an end. What went down at Monaco? If so, what rule flouting has kept her Parisian dream hanging in the balance?

Shoko Miyata flouts norms and is sitting this one out

It was discovered that Shoko Miyata had been caught smoking. Seeing how this violated the team’s code of conduct, she was promptly asked to return to Japan. The Japan Gymnastics Association opened an investigation to determine her fate. However, she confirmed her violation, and confessed to drinking and smoking once to the officials. In Japan, any individual under 20 is strictly prohibited from indulging in these acts.

Post her confirmation, the investigation concluded with her withdrawal from the Olympics. However, many believe that this behavior was a result of the weight of leading her team to Paris. Kenji Nishimura, JGA’s secretary general, told reporters in Tokyo that Miyata looked beyond exhausted at the Pre-Olympics camp. This was also confirmed by the gymnast’s personal coach, Mutsumi Harada. “She was spending her days really burdened with so much pressure.” While he didn’t support her actions, he did ask people to be more understanding.

But now that Shoko Miyata has withdrawn from the Summer Games, what does that mean for the rest of the team? Since team events usually call for 5 members, many believed that one of the reserve athletes will fill in that position. But seeing how Miyata’s withdrawal wasn’t because of an illness or injury, that would not be the case. Tadashi Fujita, JGA’s president, confirmed that they will only compete with 4 members instead. “We apologise from the bottom of our hearts for this.” Many weren’t in favor of this decision.

Miyata’s inclusion almost guaranteed Japan a fair shot at winning an Olympic medal too. Those chances seem to be incredibly dismal. Many were hoping to see the 19-year-old lead the young team at the French capital. Miyata herself confessed how she is looking to take on her role as a captain seriously. But why does everyone feel so strongly about Shoko Miyata?

Her rise to being the nation’s best

Shoko Miyata first came into prominence with her stellar performance at the 2022 World Championships in Liverpool. Her stellar performance on the balance beam helped her clinch a bronze. However, she didn’t fare as well in the all-around event. With a total of 53.798, Miyata secured the eighth position on the leaderboard. But in April this year, she turned heads by claiming the title of national champion at the All Japan Championships – her first!

For the past two years, the gymnast had to make do with being second. However, this year, she rounded up a total of 109.798, catapulting her to the top of the table. Training behind her was Kishi Rina with 107.463 and Nakamura Haruka with 107.131. If this wasn’t enough, she then trailed on to claim another victory. Despite suffering from a stress fracture in her heel, Miyata treaded on strong at the NHK trophy in May this year. Miyata scored 161.063, claiming yet another NHK win.

With just a week left for the 2024 Paris Olympics, the Japanese women’s team will still be looking to clinch an Olympic medal. But without their best athlete miles away back in Japan, will they be able to pull off this incredible feat? The Bercy Arena will host the women’s gymnastics events from 28th July. Mark your calendars for a thrilling saga of the world’s best showcasing their skills at the French capital. Will you be watching?