Shoko Miyata, the 19-year-old captain of Japan's artistic gymnastics team, has been forced out of competition in Paris after breaking team rules by smoking cigarettes. The federation sent Miyata home and the gymnast thus lost the chance to continue the competition. We remind you that in Japan the consumption of cigarettes is not allowed under the age of 20.
Japan Gymnastics Association officials said Miyata arrived in Japan after leaving the team's training camp in Monaco. The team confirmed the violation, including the consumption of alcohol. The oyster team would compete with 4 athletes, ranked fifth. The President of the Association, Tadashi Fujita, bowed before the public, together with the personal trainer of the expelled gymnast, and said: "We apologize from the bottom of our hearts."
Hopes were high for the Japanese artistic gymnastics team this time around, as it could win a team medal at the Olympic Games in France for the first time since the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. Miyata would lead a team of teenage champions as she secured her place at the Paris Games in May.
Her coach, Harada, said the gymnast's reckless behavior stemmed from extreme pressure to perform at the highest level. "She was going through her days with so much pressure. I ask people to understand this," he said, wiping away tears.
Mental health issues facing young athletes have long been a topic of discussion at previous Olympics. Gymnastics star Simone Biles also withdrew from competition.
Miyata is the reigning national champion of Japan. While the boys' team won gold in gymnastics at the 2016 Olympics, the girls last won it in 1964.
