Ratchanok cleared for Olympics (Updated Mon.)
The Badminton Association of Thailand has just announced at a 9am press conference that Ratchanok Intanon has been cleared of suspicions that she had used illegal substances and will therefore compete in the Olympics.
The Badminton Association of Thailand has just announced at a 9am press conference that Ratchanok Intanon has been cleared of suspicions that she had used illegal substances and will therefore compete in the Olympics.
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Monday update
The Badminton Association of Thailand has just announced at a 9am press conference that Ratchanok ("Nong May") Intanon has been cleared of suspicions that she had used illegal substances.
The conference was attended by BAT president Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul, Ratchanok, her Thai coach and Ms. Kamala Thongkorn, head of Banthongyord Badminton School where Nong May trains.
The suspicions centred on an injection that Nong May had received for a leg injury earlier this year. An investigation by the Badminton World Federation determined that her medical staff had followed all the proper procedures for such an injection and she was therefore cleared to compete in upcoming competitions, including, of course, next month's Olympics in Brazil.
Nong May cries tears of relief. POST TODAY photo.
The investigation has clearly taken an emotional toll on Nong May, her coaches and BAT officials. She has lost one week of training and her coach says she is determined to get back to work immediately.
Our online reporters say Ratchanok broke down and cried at the press briefing . She said she will resume training on Tuesday for the Games. "It is my dream to compete at the Olympics," she said.
Previous stories
Saturday update
Ratchanok Intanon is the centre of attention after reports that she failed a doping test that could keep her out of next month's Rio Olympics. (Photo courtesy World Badminton Federation)
Here's a short update from Bangkok Post sports reporter Kittipong Thongsombat:
Thailand remained on tenterhooks as the world governing body of badminton on Friday began a three-day meeting to rule on fourth-ranked Ratchanok Intanon's participation in next month's Olympics.
Ratchanok, a former world champion and No.1, reportedly failed a dope test during the Uber Cup team tournament in China in May – a development which is being widely seen as a major blow to Thailand's bid to claim their first ever badminton medal at the Olympics.
A sample taken from Ratchanok has been sent to a laboratory in Japan for a second test and so far there has been no word from the Badminton World Federation (BWF) on the result.
A verdict from the BWF in Ratchanok's case is not expected until Monday, prolonging the anxiety gripping both the player and her large army of fans.
Friday update
Bangkok Postsports reporter Kittipong Thongsombat has additional information on the situation:
Ratchanok, the world No.4 and former world champion, was initially reported to have tested positive during the Asia Championships in China in April, with the sample having been sent for a second test at a lab in Japan.
However, it has now been revealed that the test had actually been conducted during the Uber Cup team tournament, also held in China, in May.
The name of the prohibited substance is yet to be disclosed.
The Badminton Association of Thailand (BAT) is now waiting for an official announcement from the Malaysia-based Badminton World Federation (BWF), which begins a three-day weekend meeting Friday.
Ratchanok's latest instagram post indicates the drug test incident is clearly affecting her. "I'm faded," she said. Messages from her fans, however, are full of encouragement.
The BAT, which was informed of the test result on Sunday, has been working with the BWF to resolve the issue to pave the way for Ratchanok's participation in the Aug 5-21 Rio Games, said a source from the association.
The Sport Authority of Thailand (SAT) earlier said that all of their Olympic athletes, including Ratchanok, had passed doping tests conducted in the past two months.
Ratchanok reportedly received an injection to treat a knee injury before the China tournament and that could possibly be the reason for her sample testing positive.
If the second test is confirmed as positive, Ratchanok's chances of competing in Rio would be all but over as the Thai star would likely be temporarily suspended pending a full hearing with the BWF during which she would have to try and prove mitigating circumstances.
Ratchanok Intanon was hoping for Olympics gold at this training session at her Bangkok gym on June 22. Now she is hoping reports are false that she has failed a drug test by the Badminton World Federation and other authorities. (Reuters photo)
Thursday's story
Note: Failed drug tests are often the result, not of cheating, but of medical treatments athletes receive for injuries. Thai PBS reported yesterday that Ratchanok did receive treatment earlier this year for an injured leg.
Ratchanok is clean, BAT insists
Kittipong Thongsombat
The Badminton Association of Thailand insisted Wednesday its top player Ratchanok "Nong May" Intanon is clean and remains one of the country's best medal hopes at next month's Olympics.
It was reported Wednesday that the 21-year-old star tested positive during the Badminton Asia Championships in Wuhan, China in April where she suffered an early exit.
But BAT assistant secretary-general Thanach Assawanapakas was quick to dismiss the reports, saying the organisation had not yet been informed about the issue from the World Badminton Federation.
"She is training hard for the Olympics," he said. "She has passed several dope tests."
Sakol Wannapong, governor of the Sports Authority of Thailand, said it was just a rumour but it could affect Ratchanok's preparations for the Olympics.
"We should give her moral support," he said.
Dr Meechai Inwood, a sports scientist at the SAT, said that all Thai athletes who will take part in the Olympics had been tested in the past two months but no positive samples were found.
Thailand will have 52 athletes at the Aug 5-21 Olympics.
BAT's Thanach said Ratchanok, the 2013 world champion, remained the association's best hope in Rio de Janeiro.
Ratchanok is seen as the top contender to become Thailand's first ever Olympic medallist in badminton.
The Yasothon-born star reached the quarter-finals at the 2012 London Olympics.
Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand plays a shot during a quarterfinal women's singles badminton match against China's Wang Xin at the London 2012 Olympic games in London on August 2, 2012. Wang won the match 17-21, 21-18, 21-14. AFP PHOTO / ADEK BERRY
She won the first set and took a huge lead in the second only for China's Wang Win to stage a comeback.
Six other Thai badminton players will also compete in Rio including Boonsak Ponsana who will make his fifth Olympic appearance.
"Our players are in good condition and we are confident that they will bring home a medal," Thanach said.
Five badminton gold medals are up for grabs at the Rio tournament and the draw will be made on July 26.
Thailand aim to win at least one gold medal in Rio.
Apart from Ratchanok, other contenders include boxers, taekwondo fighters, shooters and weightlifters.
Ratchanok has said she hoped to win gold at the Rio Olympics.
"I hope that I can get the gold medal for Thailand," Ratchanok said during a recent interview. "It's not too difficult for me and I believe that I can do it."
Ratchanok is one of the most successful badminton players this year.
In April, she became the first female shuttler to win three consecutive Superseries titles.
She then briefly took the world No.1 spot but has since suffered a slump in form and is now ranked fourth.
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