KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) The Badminton World Federation has lifted a provisional suspension on 2013 singles world champion Ratchanok Intanon after clearing her of a doping breach, allowing the Thai Olympic medal hopeful to return to competition immediately.
The BWF's doping hearing panel issued a statement Monday saying that world No. 4-ranked Ratchanok's sample from the Thomas and Uber Cup finals in China on May 15 showed traces of the substance triamcinolone acetonide, a glucocorticoid which is prohibited during competition if administered orally, intravenously, intramuscularly or rectally.
But the panel found that because administration of the substance was intra-tendinous - which is not prohibited and did not require a therapeutic use exemption - and was part of an ongoing medical treatment there was no violation committed by the 21-year-old Ratchanok.
The Olympic badminton tournament runs Aug. 11-20.
