There is a clear issue with the process. Both samples should be confirmed positive at the same time from two separate labs. The delay does no favours to an athlete who is preparing for competitions.
@pjswift Did you manage to confirm if she really did have a knee injection in China? From the above quote, I think the only relevant question is the first one - all others afterwards are superfluous.
Good news, she's cleared! http://bwfcorporate.com/2016/07/ratchanok-cleared-of-anti-doping-rule-violation/ http://system.bwf.website/documents...cision - Ratchanok INTANON - 17 July 2016.pdf
Cut from the BWF pdf letter. So Intanon is cleared because the glucocorticoid was given into the tendon, not any of the prohibited oral, IV, IM, rectal routes. Phew, but what an unnecessary mess. Could've been avoided altogether by a simple TUE, even if it wasn't specifically required. Despite intra tendon injection being allowed, her team should've still taken the precautions to apply for a TUE since it'll be 100% detected in her system. Any other team should make note of this adverse event and apply for TUE under the same circumstances in order to avoid another mess like this. Better be safe than sorry. Addendum: And to avoid future such messes, BWF should really change the wording to require TUE for any and all steroid use, regardless of route of administration and whether for asthma or eczema or allergy or inflammation.
Intra tendon injection is to treat local inflammation, eg. tennis or golfers elbow. Intra muscular, intra venous, rectal, oral routes are considered systemic, ie the med is absorbed and distributed throughout the body. Therefore these systemic routes are prohibited as they are most likely for PED's.
How can an athlete prove it was administered intratedinous rather than intramuscular? How would an anti doping lab know?
I thought when the urine sample was taken, there is a declaration form. She was supposed to declare what medication she has taken.
Probably slipped her mind, especially if it was injected weeks ago, plus she probably doesn't even know the exact drug name.
The substance was injected to treat her right hand and back!! http://www.scmp.com/sport/other-spo...ailand-badminton-star-ratchanok-intanon-ready It is not clear from the Panel's decision whether the injection was carried out in China or not, when it took place on 13 May, which is a Friday. Her medical team says the substance was administered out-of-competition. She was competing in China on 15 May, which was day 1 of the Uber Cup. The urine sample was immediately taken after her match on day 1. http://www.straitstimes.com/sport/b...-of-doping-allegations-free-to-compete-in-rio She received phone call "very late at night on Sunday" of the Panel's decision.. She broke down in tears during the press conference!!
A bit weird that BAT said in an earlier report she had a knee injection. Just goes to show, you can never trust the press reports. She probably did have the injection in China given that it was administered two days before the start of the competition. I wonder whether it was a BAT doctor or one in China.
Good for her, any adverse effect, mental stress or suchlike, is minimal as BWF cleared her in such a short time. Now she can concentrate on her training, full steam ahead. Congratulations, Intanon.
I'm sure BAT brought their own doctor, if not,or at least one approved by BAT and she would receive treatment under supervision and after seeking advice from a qualified BAT personnel who if necessary would first consult their medical personnel back home.
From what I see of superseries, it is uncommon to have a team doctor follow. For team events such as Thomas Uber cups, I don't know. It's expensive to bring a doctor along. Physiotherapists are more cost effective but doctors are used only rarely. The Olympics is a different matter. Those teams have access to their own doctors as well as the hosts country's medical system.
I'm curious too. Luckily BWF gave BAT the benefit of the doubt. In the first place BAT should've taken the precaution and apply a TUE for out-of-competition treatment for her hand and back, not knee as earlier reported.
