Japanese gymnastic captain Shoko Miyata withdraws from Olympics over smoking scandal

A 19-year-old Japanese gymnast has withdrawn from the Olympic Games after violating the team's code of conduct.

Shoko Miyata, who was named captain of Japan's women's artistic gymnastics team in Paris, was sent home after allegations of smoking emerged earlier this week.

Watch every moment, every medal of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 live and free on Channel 9 and 9Now. Plus, every event ad-free and in 4K on Stan Sport.

The Japan Gymnastics Association confirmed an investigation was in process, with Miyata arriving in Japan after leaving the team's training camp in Monaco due to the investigation.

READ MORE: 'Absolute sitter': Warriors rocked by 'poor' miss

READ MORE: Ricky takes aim at critics over Raiders finals doubt

READ MORE: Maroons great slams 'ludicrous' Origin ban

In Japan it is illegal to smoke under the age of 20. Miyata won bronze in the balance beam at the 2022 World Championships in Liverpool, and was crowned the winner of the all-around title at Japan's national championships this year.

The women's squad will compete with four athletes instead of five in Paris, according to the JGA.

"We apologise from the bottom of our hearts for this," JPGA President Tadashi Fujita said at the sporting body's press conference on Friday.

The team were hopeful to claim the nation's first medal at the international tournament since the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, where Japan won bronze.

Miyata was expected to lead a team of first-time Olympians to victory in Pairs, with her third consecutive NHK trophy earning her the honour.

The teens coach, Mutsumi Harada, said that while Miyata's behaviour was of reckless nature, she had been under immense pressure to exceed expectations on the global stage.

"She was spending her days really burdened with so much pressure," coach Harada said as he wiped away tears.

"I would implore people to understand that."

The Artistic gymnastics events will commence from July 27.