Thai Olympic Chief Defends Badminton Star Over Doping Case
Thailand's Olympic chief defended badminton player Pichaymol Opasnipat against doping allegations at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, suggesting the banned substance may have come from prescribed medication rather than intentional use. He urg
Pimol Srivikrom, chairman of the Thailand Olympic Committee, has defended badminton player Pichaymol Opasnipat (known as "Pink"), believing she did not intentionally use banned substances. He has urged all athletes to be strict about medication use, noting that the early stages of the 2026 Asian Games in Japan faced numerous logistical problems but expressing confidence Japan will resolve them successfully.
Srivikrom outlined the early challenges faced by the Thai Olympic team upon arrival, saying that while initial arrangements appeared smooth, numerous problems emerged later—including transportation shortages, insufficient vehicles for pickups, unprepared accommodation, broken bathrooms, and unpredictable weather. The host nation has been addressing these issues on an ad-hoc basis, with hopes for improvement.
He reported that Thailand's athletes have already won gold medals after 3-4 days of competition, with the football team achieving three golds as an excellent start. He called on the public to continue supporting the team across multiple sports, noting he will return to Japan on September 24 to cheer on the athletes through the end of the games.
Regarding the case of badminton player Pink, who was flagged by the International Testing Agency for the banned substance furosemide and suspended from competing at the 2026 Asian Games, Srivikrom emphasized that all athletes, team management, team doctors, and sports federations must be more cautious about doping. He explained that detection of a banned substance does not necessarily mean intentional use—it may be present in various medications athletes use for treatment, including oral medicines, topical ointments, and sprays, sometimes prescribed by doctors or self-purchased without full awareness of the consequences. He stressed the importance of consulting doctors before taking any medication.
Srivikrom expressed belief that the case will undergo retesting and reconfirmation, calling it "bad luck." He urged remaining competitors to be more careful and to consult physicians before using any medication. He emphasized his personal conviction that all athletes and sports federations are aware of these concerns and are already exercising caution, and that no one intentionally dopes or wants such incidents to occur. However, he stressed that everyone must be even more careful going forward about medication use.
