Japanese Gymnast Withdrawn From Olympic Squad For Smoking
Shoko Miyata, the 19-year-old captain of Japan's women's artistic gymnastics team, has withdrawn from the squad for the Paris Games after allegedly breaking the team's code of conduct by smoking.
The Japanese Gymnastics Association (JGA) announced on Friday that Miyata returned to Japan from the training camp in Monaco after an investigation confirmed the violation, which also included drinking alcohol.
JGA president Tadashi Fujita expressed deep regret over the incident, saying, "We apologise from the bottom of our hearts for this," during a media conference. Miyata's personal coach, Mutsumi Harada, and other officials joined Fujita in a formal apology.
The women's team will now compete with only four athletes instead of the planned five at the Paris Games.
Coach Harada mentioned that Miyata had been under significant pressure to perform. "She was spending her days really burdened with so much pressure," Harada said, emphasising the toll it had taken on the young athlete.
This incident brings to light the intense pressures faced by young athletes, a topic highlighted during the Tokyo Olympics when gymnastics star Simone Biles withdrew from multiple events to focus on her mental health.
Miyata had been expected to lead a team of first-time Olympians and teenagers, with high hopes of winning Japan's first team medal in women's artistic gymnastics since the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.
Her recent achievements, including a bronze medal at the 2022 World Championships and securing her spot for Paris with a third consecutive NHK trophy in May, had set high expectations for her performance.
Smoking is illegal for anyone under 20 in Japan, further complicating the situation for Miyata. Despite her promising career and status as Japan's individual all-around champion, this incident has sidelined her Olympic dreams.
The Paris Games, opening on July 26, were set to feature Miyata as a key competitor in multiple events, including the team competition. Artistic gymnastics will be held from July 27 to August 5 at the Bercy Arena in Paris.
