Shoko Miyata, Captain of Japan Gymnastics Team, Sent Home from Olympics for Underage Drinking and Smoking

The captain of Japan’s women’s gymnastics team, Shoko Miyata, has been kicked out of the Olympics just one week before the Opening Ceremony. The 19-year-old admitted to underage smoking and drinking, leading to her removal from the team. The Japan Gymnastics Association received information about Miyata’s behavior and she confirmed the allegations, resulting in her being sent back to Japan from Monaco, where the team was training.

Japanese law dictates that individuals must be 20 years old to consume alcohol or smoke, and the JGA’s code of conduct prohibits any gymnast from engaging in these activities during team events, regardless of legal age. Miyata’s actions were attributed to the pressure surrounding the upcoming Summer Games, as mentioned by the JGA chairman and Miyata’s coach.

The decision to remove Miyata from the team has sparked backlash on social media, with fans expressing disappointment in the punishment and questioning the severity of the consequences. The Japanese women’s gymnastics team will now compete with four members instead of five, and no replacement will be named for Miyata. Despite this setback, the team is determined to continue fighting and aims to perform well at the Olympics.