Thailand awaits official word on Intanon doping allegations

The Bangkok Post reported today that the Badminton Association of Thailand (BAT) is waiting for official world from the Badminton World Federation (BWF) on a case involving former World Champion Ratchanok Intanon (pictured).  While rumours began in the Thai press a few days ago, the Post article has finally clarified that the BAT was informed of a sample taken from Ratchanok during the Uber Cup competition in May had tested positive for an as yet unidentified prohibited substance.

The article also says that the BAT, the Sport Authority of Thailand, and even the Prime Minister are involved in seeking an early resolution to the issue in advance of the July 18th deadline for submitting names to the BWF for the Rio Olympic Games.  In the case of Lee Chong Wei two years ago, it took just over two months for the results of a B sample to be released, which officially began his provisional suspension in November 2014.  The Uber Cup competition finished two months ago next Thursday, although Ratchanok’s last match there was on May 19th.

As for Thailand’s Olympic entries, it appears they would have nothing to lose by submitting Ratchanok’s name on Monday in the hopes that her name could be cleared before the Games begin.  Thailand had exactly two women’s singles players finish in the top 16 and Ratchanok’s exclusion would reduce their quota in the discipline to one.  Currently, the second qualified shuttler is world #16 Porntip Buranaprasertsuk, who did not attend the Uber Cup finals in May and has played only one international match since April, losing in the first round of the Chinese Taipei Open.  If limited to only one shuttler, Thailand could choose to send #18 Busanan Ongbamrungphan or Taipei semi-finalist Nitchaon Jindapon instead.

Click here to read the full report from The Bangkok Post

Photo: Badmintonphoto