Paris Olympics 2024: How Japan lost a medal hope due to a smoking rule

Japanese gymnast Shoko Miyata has been sent home from the Paris Olympics after breaking a smoking ban. Miyata returned to her country after an investigation from the Japan Gymnastics Association found that the 19-year-old captain of the women's gymnastics team had breached their code of conduct.

Smoking is illegal under the age of 20 in Japan and is also not allowed as per the code of conduct of the association.

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"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 informed the media in Tokyo.

Miyata's personal coach Mutsumi Harada said the athlete was struggling to cope up with the pressure of the Games.

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"She was spending her days really burdened with so much pressure. I would implore people to understand that," said Harada.

Miyata won bronze in the balance beam at the 2022 world championships in Liverpool.

She won the all-around title at Japan's national championships earlier this year.

The Paris Olympics starts on 26 July with Japan aiming to win their first artistic gymnastics team medal since the 1964 Tokyo Games.