19 year-old Shoko Miyata, Japan’s female gymnast team captain has been axed from the Paris Olympic team and sent back to Japan.
The JGA-Japan Gymnastics Association sent her back due to allegations of underage smoking which is in violation of the federation’s code of conduct. The legal smoking age in Japan is 20 years.
According to Japanese media, on Wednesday Shoko did not participate in training session and on Thursday she had arrived back in Japan. This was after investigation, which confirmed that she had committed violation including drinking alcohol.
According to JGA with absence of Shoko, the Japanes gymnastic women’s squad would particiapte with only four athletes. Her absence is a major setback to the Japan as based on her domestic performances a first team Olympic medal since the 1964 Tokyo Olympics was being expected.
In Japan’s domestic gymnast circuit, Shoko had dominated by winning all of the most prestigious All-Japan Championships and the NHK Trophy.
