Shoko Miyata, the 19-year-old captain of Japan's gymnastics team will not be allowed to compete at the 2024 Paris Olympics, after an investigation revealed she had broken team rules, as well as the law, by smoking and drinking.
To note, in Japan the legal age to drink alcohol and smoke cigarettes is 20 years old. That is to say, Miyata was sent home from team training in Monaco, after reports came out about violating the Japan Gymnastics Association's code of conduct.
"We apologise from the bottom of our hearts for this," Tadashi Fujita, the JGA's president, said.
Miyata's coach, Mutsumi Harada, also was emotional, asking for sympathy regarding the matter.
"She was spending her days really burdened with so much pressure," Harada said while wiping away tears. "I would implore people to understand that."
To point out, this will be a big blow to Japan's Olympic team as Miyata is a national champion in Japan, and a bronze medalist on the beam during the 2022 world championships, in addition to placing fifth in the all-around competition.
Ultimately, Japan will opt to not replace Miyata, as they will now have to compete with four gymnasts instead of five. With this in mind, the odds are stacked against them, as the women's gymnastics team are attempting to win a team medal for the first time since the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.
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