New Delhi, July 19: Japanese gymnast Shoko Miyata, who was caught smoking, will not be able to compete at the Olympic Games 2024, scheduled from July 26 to August 11 in Paris, France, the media reported on Friday.
Miyata left Japan’s training camp in Monaco, France, on Thursday as Olympic officials investigated the incident. She directly returned to Japan.
“With her confirmation and after discussions on all sides, it has been decided that she will withdraw from the Olympics.” Japan Gymnastics Association Secretary-General Kenji Nishimura said.
The association does not allow smoking, as it violates the body’s rules and regulations. Miyata’s coach, Mutsumi Harada, said the gymnast was feeling too much pressure from competing at the Olympics.
Miyata,19, won the bronze medal at the World Championships 2022 in Liverpool. It was to be her first time to compete at the Olympic Games.
