, nee , is a Japanese

gymnast Gymnastics is a type of sport that includes physical exercises requiring balance, strength, flexibility, agility, coordination, dedication and endurance. The movements involved in gymnastics contribute to the development of the arms, legs, s ...

. She competed in seven events at the

1956 Summer Olympics The 1956 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XVI Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, from 22 November to 8 December 1956, with the exception of the equestrian events, wh ...

, and wrote an article entitled ''Deep Emotions from the Hinomaru,'' describing her thoughts on Japanese identity represented by the waving of Japanese flags at the Olympics just a few short years after the end of the Second World War. Shintani was due to participate in the

1960 Summer Olympics The 1960 Summer Olympics ( it, Giochi Olimpici estivi del 1960), officially known as the Games of the XVII Olympiad ( it, Giochi della XVII Olimpiade) and commonly known as Rome 1960 ( it, Roma 1960), were an international multi-sport event held ...

in Rome for the Japanese contingent, but was prevented from doing so by a herniated disc that caused paralysis in her right leg. Instead, she went on to study in the United States, graduating with a master's degree from

Northwestern State University Northwestern State University of Louisiana (NSU) is a public university primarily situated in Natchitoches, Louisiana, with a nursing campus in Shreveport and general campuses in Leesville/Fort Polk and Alexandria. It is a part of the Univ ...

. In 1962, Shintani worked as an assistant to gymnast Joanne Giannini (nee Pasquale). In 1970, she published a book entitled ''the Basics of Women's Gymnastics'' (女子体操競技の基礎).

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Seki, Suzuko 1936 births Living people Japanese female artistic gymnasts Olympic gymnasts of Japan Gymnasts at the 1956 Summer Olympics Place of birth missing (living people) 20th-century Japanese women