Medal Hope Sent Home – Days Before the Olympics

With only a week left until the OS in Paris is inaugurated, the Japanese gymnast Shoko Miyata is being sent home.

The reason is said to be that the 19-year-old OS medal hope has broken a smoking ban, reports local media.

Smoking contravenes the team's code of conduct – and is also illegal for all under 20 years old in Japan.

Miyata is the captain of Japan's artistic gymnastics team, and has, among other things, a VM bronze from 2022. Her absence would mean a hard blow to Japan's chances of a team medal at the OS.

The OS in Paris is inaugurated on July 26.