Shoko Miyata, 19, captain of Japan's women's gymnastics team, withdrew from the Paris Olympics on Friday after admitting to smoking and drinking.
The Japan Gymnastics Association said at a news conference that the decision was made after Miyata admitted on Thursday that he had consumed alcohol once and smoked cigarettes once since late June, after returning to Tokyo from Monaco, where the team is based at a training camp.
In Japan, smoking and drinking alcohol are prohibited for those under the age of 20. The JGA said the allegations emerged on Monday after it was provided with relevant information.
Japanese gymnast Shoko Miyata smiles after finishing the floor exercise at the NHK Trophy women's individual all-around at Takasaki Arena in Gunma Prefecture on May 18, 2024. (Kyodo)
Miyata, who did not appear at Wednesday's media open practice, said at the hearing that he had turned to smoking and drinking “due to the numerous pressures from set competitive goals,” according to the JGA.
Miyata's absence will be a major blow to the women's team, which is aiming to win its first team medal since the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.
A native of Kyoto Prefecture, she won a bronze medal on balance beam and placed eighth in the individual all-around in her first appearance at the 2022 World Championships. In April of this year, she won her first All Japan Championships, and in May, she won the NHK Trophy for the third consecutive time, earning her first Olympic berth.
Related coverage:
Olympics: Japan women's gymnastics captain Miyata to leave team for smoking
Gymnastics: Uchimura, Hashimoto and Japan team set to win gold in Paris
Gymnastics federation won't start paying Olympic prize money: chairman
