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Japanese Olympic gymnast Shoko Miyata will miss the 2024 Paris Olympics due to violations involving smoking and drinking alcohol. The 19-year-old, who captains Japan's women's artistic gymnastics team, was sent back to Japan on Thursday, July 18, just 10 days before the global competition, as reported by the Japanese Gymnastics Association (JGA) and multiple news outlets.
JGA president Tadashi Fujita issued a public apology, expressing deep regret for the incident. Secretary general Kenji Nishimura confirmed that after careful consideration and discussions, it was decided Miyata would withdraw from the Olympics. Her coach, Mutsumi Harada, disclosed that Miyata, the reigning national champion, had been struggling with immense pressure during the team's training camp in Monaco. Harada emphasized the intense burden she faced, urging people to understand her situation.
Miyata's absence was first noticed on Wednesday, July 17, when she failed to attend an open training session. This development marks a significant setback in her promising career. She previously secured three medals at the Asian Championships and three at the World University Games, including a bronze medal on the balance beam at the 2022 World Championships. More recently, in April, she won her first gold medal at Japan's national championships after earning back-to-back silver medals in previous years.
Japan has not won a medal in the women's gymnastics team all-around competition since the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, making Miyata's withdrawal particularly impactful. Her absence from the 2024 Paris Olympics is a considerable blow to the team's hopes.
The 2024 Summer Olympics will be broadcast live from Paris from July 26 to August 11 on NBC. Fans and supporters will undoubtedly feel Miyata's absence, as she had been a beacon of hope for Japan's gymnastics team. Her situation highlights the intense pressures athletes face on the global stage.
