The captain of Japan’s women’s gymnastics team, Shoko Miyata, has withdrawn from the Paris 2024 Olympics following allegations of breaching the team’s code of conduct by smoking and consuming alcohol, according to the Japanese Gymnastics Association.
Despite the legal smoking and drinking age in Japan being 20, the JGA’s code of conduct prohibits these activities during team events, regardless of age.
Miyata, who is 19, was reported to have violated this code.
JGA executive director Kenji Nishimura announced at a press conference on July 19, “Both parties discussed the matter and decided to withdraw [Miyata] from the Olympics.” Nishimura detailed that one instance of smoking occurred “in a private place at a certain location in Tokyo,” while the drinking incident took place “in a room in the Athlete Village of the National Training Center.”
“She engaged in smoking and drinking due to numerous pressures from the competitive targets that had been set,” Nishimura added.
Miyata, who secured a bronze medal on the balance beam at the 2022 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, was set to lead Japan’s team of debut Olympians.
CNN is attempting to contact Miyata for her comments. She has not yet made any public statements and seems to have removed her social media profiles.
The Japanese women’s team aims to win its first team medal since the 1964 Tokyo Games.
JGA chief Tadashi Fujita expressed deep regret, stating, “We would like to apologize from the bottom of our hearts for the great inconvenience and worry this has caused you. We are truly sorry.”
“It’s not just Ms. Miyata’s responsibility. I believe the entire Gymnastics Association is responsible. Ms. Miyata must atone for the crime she committed, though, we will do our utmost to support her, so she can take a new step toward the future.”
