Olympian fears smoking ban could affect her chances of winning a gold medal

The Olympics has a long list of rules that athletes must adhere to in order to compete and one has a golfer fearing that it could affect her medal chances.

Major sporting competitions like the Olympic Games are pretty strict when it comes to athlete behaviour.

Earlier these games, Brazilian swimmer Ana Carolina Vieira and her partner, fellow swimmer Gabriel Santos, were disqualified after officials discovered they had snuck out of the Olympic Village without permission.

While the disqualified athletes have spoken out about the 'irreparable damage' this has caused, you could argue that they simply shouldn't have broken the rules.

Golfer Charley Hull is worried that the Olympics' smoking ban will affect her performance (Harry How/Getty Images)

However, Team GB golf star Charley Hull believes the competition's ban on smoking could affect her chances of getting a medal.

The 28-year-old went viral at the US Women's Open earlier this year after she was pictured signing autographs for fans with a cigarette hanging out of her mouth.

But she has been told by officials that she cannot smoke - a habit she says helps her to control her ADHD - while playing in the Olympics.

The golfer says: "Yeah, I do smoke on the course, it's just something I do.

"It's a habit but I won't do it this week. I don't think you're allowed."

She's also revealed her fear that the smoking ban could have a negative effect on her performance.

Hull was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) last year.

According to the NHS, ADHD affects people's behaviour, causing them to seem restless, have trouble concentrating and act on impulse.

The golfer says lighting a cigarette helps her to control the condition.

Hull went viral after smoking on the course at the US Open earlier this year - a habit she says helps control her ADHD (Getty Images/Sarah Stier)

When asked whether the ban on smoking will affect her game, she responded: "Yeah, I think it will. It relaxes me a little bit. But it is what it is."

After images of her smoking at the US Open went viral, Hull laughed it off, saying her whole family smokes and her dad goes through '40 a day.'

Speaking to Mail Sport, she said: "It was crazy... not really what I was expecting, but I guess it shows that any publicity is good publicity.

"I'd rather make the headlines for my golf, but hopefully, it helped to attract a few new fans to golf!"

This will be Hull's second appearance at the Olympic Games, after she finished seventh in Rio in 2016.

She will be joined by fellow British golfer and close friend Georgia Hall to represent Team GB.

"We have known each other since we were 11 and grew up practicing together," she said. "It’s perfect to get to play with my best mate."