Sports
First Asian Games doping case involves Thai badminton player
Thai badminton player Pitchamon Opatniputh has become the first known doping case at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan after testing positive for the banned substance furosemide, the International Testing Agency said Monday.
The 19-year-old has been provisionally suspended and is barred from competing, training, coaching or participating in any activity during the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, the ITA said.
Opatniputh, ranked 18th, was scheduled to face China on Tuesday in the badminton team competition. The badminton competition began on Sunday with day one.
The ITA said the sample was collected during out-of-competition testing on Sept. 17.
Furosemide is a diuretic, which can be used to get rid of water from the body and help with rapid weight loss. Anti-doping regulations forbid its detection in an athlete’s blood sample.
The player has the right to appeal the provisional suspension at the Court of Arbitration for Sport and to request analysis of her B-sample, ITA said.