INCHEON, South Korea (AP) — Japan has expelled one of its swimmers from the Asian Games while he is investigated for allegedly stealing a camera.
Naoya Tomita, the 200-meter breaststroke gold medalist from the previous Asian Games, could face criminal charges for allegedly stealing a camera owned by a South Korean media organization, team officials announced Saturday.
Tomita was caught by surveillance cameras putting the camera in his bag on Thursday after watching his teammates compete and team officials said he has admitted taking the camera.
“I can’t recall anything like this ever happening before with a Japanese athlete at the Asian Games,” said Tsuyoshi Aoki, the head of Japan’s delegation. “It is a violation of the most basic code of conduct.”
“We offer our deep apologies.”
Aoki said Tomita would have to pay his own airfare home.
The 25-year old finished fourth in the 100-meter breaststroke and failed to win a medal at the Incheon meet.
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