Shoko Miyata caught smoking, forced to miss Paris 2024 Olympics: Reports

By Anirudh

Modified Jul 18, 2024 16:46 GMT

Shoko Miyata is set to leave Japan's women's artistic gymnastics team over allegations of smoking. Widespread reports state that she was in violation of the code of conduct and will now not take part in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Miyata, who captains the women's artistic gymnastics team, is expected to be sent back home from its training camp in Monaco. The Japan Gymnastics Association (JGA) is said to have begun an investigation and as things stand, her participation in the quadrennial event remains in doubt.

The 19-year-old was absent during the training session on Wednesday (July 17), which was open to the media. When asked about the same, JGA's head of development, Hikaru Tanaka, did not provide any definitive reasons.

The legal age for smoking and drinking in Japan is 20. This is despite the civil law revision in 2022 which lowered the age of adulthood from 20 to 18. Clarity on the issue is expected to be made public once the investigation concludes, according to the report by Kyodo News+.

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Shoko Miyata's potential absence could be a big blow to Japan's medal hopes at Paris Olympics

Shoko Miyata in action at the 2023 Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Antwerp, Belgium.

Shoko Miyata secured her spot at the Paris Olympics earlier this year when she won her third consecutive NHK Trophy title. Despite being troubled by a groin injury, she secured a total of 217.162 points over the four days of competition to emerge as the victor.

Her potential absence at the Paris Olympics will be a big blow to Japan. The country will be looking to win an Olympic team medal for the first time since the 1964 Tokyo Games and her absence will severely impact their chances of achieving that.

If Miyata is barred from taking part in the Summer Games, it will not only be a blow to Japan's medal chances but also to her ambitions.

“I wanted to finish the day with a better performance but will have to save that for Paris. I’ve had good years and bad years in my life but I hope to make this year a good one,” she said after winning the NHK Trophy in May.

Kishi Rina, Okamura Mana, Nakamura Haruka, and Ushioku Kohane are the other athletes on Japan's women's artistic gymnastics team.