Feb 11 (nypost.com) - Japanese ski jumper Sara Takanashi issued an emotional apology on social media after she was one of five athletes disqualified for violating suit regulations Monday at the 2022 Olympics.
“I am very sorry that the chance of winning a medal has been taken away from the Japanese team,” Takanashi — who has a record 61 World Cup wins on her resume — said in a post on Instagram that was translated by CNN.
“It is an undeniable fact that my disqualification changed everyone’s lives. Even if I apologize the medal will not be returned.”
Takanashi was disqualified from Monday’s Olympic mixed team competition due to the size of her suit, which was determined to be two centimeters wider than permitted around her thighs, according to Reuters.
The International Ski Federation (FIS) said in a statement that all nations were checked during competition in Beijing.
“The used suits that led to the disqualifications were too big and offered an aerodynamic advantage to the athlete…” the statement read. “The suits used were produced exclusively for the Olympic Games and were therefore not previously tested by the FIS EC.”
FIS guidelines state that “an athlete may only take part in a FIS Competition with equipment which conforms to the FIS regulations.”
Japan’s National Olympic Committee has not yet addressed the situation.
