Japanese gymnast Shoko Miyata’s Olympic dreams came to a shocking end on Thursday when she was sent home from a training camp in Monaco for allegedly violating the team’s smoking ban.
According to the BBC, Miyata, captain of Japan’s gymnastics team, has been expelled from the team following an investigation.
Smoking is against the rules of the Japan Gymnastics Association.
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Winner Shoko Miyata poses with the trophy on the third day of the NHK Trophy gymnastics event held at Takasaki Arena in Takasaki, Gunma Prefecture, on May 18, 2024. (Ota Kiyoshi/Getty Images)
“After her approval and consultation with all parties, it has been decided that she will withdraw from the Olympics,” the federation’s secretary-general, Kenji Nishimura, told reporters in Tokyo.
Harada Mutsumi became emotional as she apologised for the incident and explained how Miyata had felt pressure in recent weeks as she continued to train with the aim of making the Olympic team.
“She was living under enormous pressure every day,” Harada told Reuters. “I want people to understand that.”
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Japan Gymnastics Association Chairman Masashi Fujita (right) and Japan Gymnastics Association Executive Director Kenji Nishimura held a press conference in Tokyo on July 19, 2024. (Kazuhiro Nogi/AFP via Getty Images)
According to Kyodo News, the Japan Gymnastics Association said there was no replacement for Miyata, who is believed to be the first Japanese athlete to withdraw from an Olympic Games without citing injury or illness.
Japan was looking to shock the sporting world and win a medal for the first time since 1964.
Shoko Miyata competed in the women’s floor exercise on the third day of the NHK Trophy gymnastics event held at Takasaki Arena in Takasaki City, Gunma Prefecture on May 18, 2024. (Ota Kiyoshi/Getty Images)
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Miyata was the favorite to win. She won a silver medal at the 2022 World Championships in Liverpool and two silver medals and a bronze medal at the 2022 Asian Championships in Doha.
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