BREAKING NEWS: Star gymnast set to miss France 2024 Olympics for smoking violations and drugs…SEE MORE
Japanese gymnast Shoko Miyata has been sent back home and will miss the Olympic Games due to her violation of the team’s smoking prohibition.
Earlier on yesterday, the 19-year-old gymnast left training camp in Monaco as officials looked into the alleged incident.
The teenager, who is the captain of Japan’s women’s artistic gymnastics team, returned to Japan that same night after the investigation revealed she had breached the Japan Gymnastics Association’s regulations. Smoking is prohibited under the association’s code of conduct.
Japan Gymnastics Association Secretary General Kenji Nishimura informed reporters in Tokyo, Following her admission and discussions from all parties involved, it has been decided that she will withdraw from the Olympics.
Nishimura also noted that Miyata appeared “exhausted” during the camp in Monaco.
Miyata’s personal coach, Mutsumi Harada, explained that the gymnast was overwhelmed by the “pressure” of competing at the Games. “She was dealing with a significant amount of pressure every day. I ask people to understand her situation,” Harada said.
Miyata, who won a bronze medal at the 2022 World Championships in Liverpool, was expected to lead a team of newcomers at the Paris Olympics.
Japan aims to secure their first artistic gymnastics team medal since the 1964 Tokyo Games.
The Paris Games are set to begin on July 26.
