Teenage badminton player Pitchamon Opatniputh becomes first athlete suspended after positive dope test at Asian Games 2026

Teenage Thai badminton player Pitchamon Opatniputh has become the first athlete to be provisionally suspended from the Asian Games 2026 after testing positive for a banned substance, the International Testing Agency (ITA) said on Monday.The 19-year-old, ranked 18th in the world in women's singles by the Badminton World Federation, returned a positive test for furosemide, a prohibited diuretic. The sample was collected during an out-of-competition test in Nagoya on September 17, two days before the formal opening ceremony of the Aichi-Nagoya Games.Opatniputh was scheduled to represent Thailand in the team event against China on Tuesday, but her provisional suspension means she cannot compete in the Asian Games.Provisional suspension takes immediate effectThe ITA said Opatniputh had been informed of the case and suspended with immediate effect pending its resolution under the World Anti-Doping Code and the Olympic Council of Asia's anti-doping rules.“This means that the athlete is prevented from competing, training, coaching, or participating in any activity, during the Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026,” the ITA said in a statement.Furosemide is a diuretic that increases the excretion of water from the body. It can be used to facilitate rapid weight loss and can also potentially mask the presence of other prohibited substances.Opatniputh, one of Thailand's leading women's badminton players, can challenge the provisional suspension. She has the right to request analysis of the B-sample and can also contest the suspension before the Court of Arbitration for Sport.The positive test comes early in the 16-day continental sporting event, which is being held across Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya until October 4.The case remains subject to the anti-doping process, and the provisional suspension does not by itself establish a final anti-doping rule violation. Further proceedings will determine the outcome of the case.Stay updated with the latest Asian Games 2026 news, check the Asian Games medal tally and complete Asian Games schedule.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.