The Japan Canoe Federation is considering expelling Yasuhiro Suzuki, one of the country's top sprint canoeists, from its roster in response to the athlete's spiking of his younger rival's drink with a banned substance, officials said.
The possible move comes as the incident, which took place at the national canoe sprint championships last September in Ishikawa Prefecture, has shocked the canoe world and dealt a blow to the image of Japanese sports ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
The recommended expulsion — the most severe punishment in the federation's bylaws — will be discussed by the governing board as early as March.