The Suspension Is Odd, But Valid

Badminton player Kento Momota banned from Rio Olympics for… gambling?

So what happened?
 
Momota got suspended.

Why?

Momota was suspended for gambling.

Now, I think we can agree: gambling on your sport is a serious mistake, and betting on your own team is an even more serious mistake, especially if you play for the Sacramento Kings. But Momota did not bet on himself. As far as we know, he did not even bet on badminton.

He just bet.

Specifically, he played baccarat in a casino.

And the IOC kicked him out for THAT?
 
Nope. The IOC couldn’t care less. Momota was not banned by the IOC. He was also not banned by the Badminton World Federation. He was banned by his own country. Gambling is illegal in Japan.

(SI.com)