Asian Games 2026: First doping case confirmed, equestrian eventing postponed

The Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games recorded their first doping case on Monday after Thai badminton player Pitchamon Opatniputh returned an adverse analytical finding for the prohibited substance furosemide.

The sample was collected during an out-of-competition doping control in Nagoya on September 17, the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) said. Opatniputh has been provisionally suspended with immediate effect and is barred from competing, training, coaching or participating in any Asian Games-related activity until the case is resolved.

The Thai shuttler has not yet competed at the Games and was scheduled to feature in the women’s team quarterfinals on Tuesday.

Furosemide is listed by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) under S5, covering diuretics and masking agents. It is prohibited both in and out of competition and is classified as a specified substance.

The OCA said the International Testing Agency is responsible for testing and results management at the Games.

Opatniputh can challenge the provisional suspension before the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s Anti-Doping Division and can also request analysis of her B-sample.

Meanwhile, the equestrian eventing competition in Tokyo has been postponed by a day due to the approaching Typhoon Dujuan.

The organisers have revised the schedule, with Eventing Dressage and Eventing Jumping now set to begin on Tuesday instead of Monday.