Thai badminton star challenges doping ruling

Sports minister says Thai teams at Asian Games ‘all aware’ of rules

Thailand’s rising badminton star Pitchamon Opatniputh has moved swiftly to challenge her positive drug test, requesting an analysis of her B sample after becoming the first confirmed doping case of the Asian Games in Japan.

The world No.18 returned a positive test for furosemide, a diuretic used for rapid weight loss. The sample was collected during out-of-competition testing by the International Testing Agency (ITA) on Sept 17 — a day after she arrived in Nagoya.

Pitchamon has been provisionally banned from competing, training, coaching or participating in any activity during the tournament. She can challenge her suspension at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said the case is currently in the appeal process, specifically regarding the testing of the B sample. Results are expected soon following the initial detection of the banned substance.

He said it was suspected that the incident arose from a lack of awareness after Pitchamon informed the Badminton Association of Thailand that the substance may be related to an anti-inflammatory ointment.

Mr Surasak added that both the athlete and the association are well aware of the need for caution regarding the use of any type of medication.

Given that the detection of a prohibited substance would impact competition, he emphasised that the association and the national team staff remain vigilant and prioritise this issue.

“In Pitchamon’s case, the incident may have stemmed from a lack of awareness, even though she has regularly competed at the international level where random testing is a standard procedure,” he said.

He insisted that the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) and the BAT have consistently provided education regarding all types of drugs and prohibited substances, while maintaining full cooperation with the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada).

Thai Olympic Association chief Pimol Srivikorn has also urged athletes in the competition to exercise caution before using any medication.

“A follow-up test will be conducted to confirm the results regarding what happened with Pitchamon,” he said.

“Personally, I believe that all athletes and associations are aware of this issue and are already vigilant.

“I am convinced that no one intends to dope, and certainly, no one wants an incident like this to happen. Nevertheless, everyone must be even more careful moving forward regarding the use of any medication — whether taken orally or applied topically.”

Triple world junior champion Pitchamon is a rising star in Thai badminton. The 19-year-old has had a breakthrough season, where she reached a Super 500 final for the first time in her career at the Indonesia Masters.

She was also a finalist at the Super 300 Orleans Masters. She has two titles on the BWF World Tour — both Super 100 events.