Tokyo, Japan: Amid the ongoing preparations for participation in Paris Olympic Games 2024, Shoko Miyata, a Japanese gymnast, has been sent back to her home country from Paris. This decision has been taken due to the allegations of smoking.
The women gymnast is currently 19-year-old and is captain of the women’s gymnastics team. A report by the local media on Friday revealed that the Japan Gymnastics Association was conducting an investigation on the women gymnast to reach the end decision if she had actually breached the association’s code of conduct.
It is to be noted that as per the association’s and country’s rules, smoking is considered illegal under the age of 20. It is also understood that she used to consume alcohol as well.
The reports state that Miyata, who was expected to compete for a medal in Paris, had already left the team’s training camp in Monaco on Thursday.
Further the reports said, it was still unclear that she will participate in Olympics or not. Also. she did not attend training on Wednesday, with a JGA official. The reason for her absence was stated to be for certain reasons.
Earlier this year, Miyata won the all-around title at Japan’s national championships and also won bronze in the balance beam at the 2022 world championships in Liverpool. Her exit comes as shocking as the country was expecting the first team medal this time since 1964 Tokyo Olympics.
Now, the team will have to compete with four athletes instead of five.
On talking to Reuters, her coach Mutsumi Harada shared ‘She was spending her days really burdened with so much pressure,’ on Miyata leaving in between.
Also, the Japanese Olympic officials have announced that they will hold a press conference in Tokyo on Friday afternoon.
