The contents of the “gag order” imposed on Shoko Miyata over her drinking and smoking problem.

The Japanese women’s gymnastics team for the Paris Olympics, which will compete with four members after Shoko Miyata (19), the team captain, withdrew from the competition due to her drinking and smoking problem, held a practice session for the media on the 25th. Afterwards, the team members were interviewed by the media. ……

The release before the interview included the statement, “I cannot comment on anything other than the competition. How are the athletes and staff perceiving the highly unusual situation of missing the captain of the team just before the opening ……?　It was forbidden for the public to ask any such questions,” said a reporter who covered the event.

While the media is voicing their dissatisfaction with this “gag order,” gymnastics association officials are expressing their mixed feelings.

I understand that Miyata’s fuss is a matter of national concern, but the remaining members, Rina Kishi (16), Makoto Okamura (19), Haruka Nakamura (16), and Koha Ushioku (19), must now concentrate on their preparation for the competition. In the midst of all this, the girls, who are still students, will be asked questions by the media such as, “How do you feel about the riot? The psychological impact on the girls would be immeasurable. In fact, the staff of the gymnastics association is working hard to provide mental care for the four gymnasts, for example, instructing them to avoid looking at social networking sites as much as possible.

In order for the athletes to concentrate on their competitions, it is important to forget about the turmoil as soon as possible. It seems that the national team officials and the gymnastics association are steering in that direction. ……

The media and the public will not be convinced if they are told to just forget about the fuss and support the athletes as soon as possible. That is why the gymnastics association should not end with a sob story, but rather disclose the details of Miyata’s current situation and the impact on the team. That way, the athletes and local staff will not have to bear the brunt of this, and there will be no need to issue a gag order.

Nevertheless, the four remaining members are looking forward. After practice, they were tired from struggling with the equipment they had to use for the first time, but they gave interviews with cheerful expressions that showed no sign of the effects of the turmoil.

Ushioku, the oldest member of the team, commented in the interview, “I know I’m being watched, but I want to turn that into a positive and give my best performance in the show. Okamura revealed, “I received a message from Shoko (Miyata) saying, ‘I’m rooting for you as a member of the team.

I hope that even one more citizen can honestly support the athletes who are fighting so hard in the midst of the great turmoil. ……