The 2024 Paris Olympics, set to begin on July 26, are already embroiled in controversy as athletes face disciplinary actions and political tensions rise. Japanese gymnast Shoko Miyata, the 19-year-old captain of Japan’s artistic gymnastics team and a bronze medalist at the 2022 World Championships, has been withdrawn from the games for violating the team’s code of conduct by smoking and drinking alcohol. The incident occurred during a training camp in Monaco, with Miyata admitting to the violations due to ’emotional pressure’.The Japanese Gymnastics Association (JGA) made the decision after confirming the incidents, which are illegal for individuals under 20 in Japan. This withdrawal is a significant blow to Japan’s hopes of winning their first Olympic team medal in artistic gymnastics since the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. The team will now compete with four athletes instead of five, potentially impacting their performance.In a separate development, a report by Global Rights Compliance, a humanitarian organization based in The Hague, has revealed that two-thirds of Russian athletes authorized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to compete as neutrals have violated the conditions set by the organization. The report found that 10 out of 15 Russian athletes violated the ‘principles of participation’ by expressing support for the Russian invasion of Ukraine or having ties to the military. Despite being informed of this evidence, the IOC has not taken action, stating they cannot comment on individual cases.Amidst these controversies, the IOC has announced the start of the Olympic truce, which will last from July 19 to September 15, 2024. However, tensions remain high, with Ukrainian athletes being allowed not to greet Russian athletes during the games to avoid potential ‘provocations’. As the world prepares for the Olympic Games, these incidents highlight the ongoing challenges of balancing athletic competition with political realities and personal conduct expectations.
Key points
- Japanese gymnast Shoko Miyata withdrawn from Paris Olympics for violating code of conduct by smoking and drinking.
- Report reveals 10 out of 15 Russian athletes authorized as neutrals violated IOC conditions.
- Olympic truce announced amid rising tensions between Ukrainian and Russian athletes.
Contradictions👾While the Olympic truce has been announced to promote peace, tensions between Ukrainian and Russian athletes remain high, with special arrangements made to avoid confrontations.
