TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — Shoko Miyata, the 19-year-old captain of the Japanese women’s gymnastics team, has been sent home from the Paris Olympics over allegations of smoking, according to local media reports on Friday.
The Japan Gymnastics Association (JGA) is currently investigating whether Miyata violated the association’s code of conduct. In Japan, smoking is illegal for individuals under the age of 20.
Key Points:
- Allegations and Investigation:
- Miyata is alleged to have been smoking, which, if confirmed, would be a violation of the JGA’s code of conduct.
- The JGA is conducting an investigation to determine the veracity of these allegations.
- Impact on Olympic Participation:
- Miyata has already left the team’s training camp in Monaco.
- Her participation in the Paris Olympics is currently “uncertain.”
- Recent Achievements:
- Miyata won a bronze medal on the balance beam at the 2022 World Championships in Liverpool.
- She also claimed the individual all-around title at the Japan Championships earlier this year.
Miyata reportedly did not participate in training on Wednesday, with a JGA official citing “specific reasons” for her absence. Japanese Olympic officials are expected to provide further updates at a news conference in Tokyo on Friday afternoon.
This development has cast a shadow over Miyata’s Olympic prospects, just as she was expected to compete for a medal in Paris.
