Ratchanok Intanon, 5^th in the world rankings, has been cleared of a doping charge by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) after it was proved that she had ingested contaminated meat.

The 24-year former number one was charged with an anti-doping rule violation in May after a urine test returned an adverse result.

Ratchanok proved it was related to the ingestion of meat contaminated with clenbuterol – a steroid-type drug that decreases body fat and increases muscle mass.

After the Thai Badminton Association was informed of the charge, association president Khunying Pattama Leesawattrakul coordinated with the Ban Thong Yod badminton club, of which Ratchanok is a member, to solve the problem.

A urine sample and a sample of the meat, which Ratchanok had eaten before the test, were sent to the BWF for another test in an attempt to prove that the contamination was not caused by the intentional taking of a banned substance, but by the contaminated meat.

Clenbuterol was found in the meat sample and the BWF decided to clear Ratchanok of the doping charge, allowing her to continue to participate in competitions.

Khunying Pattama said today that the Thai Badminton Association has always attached importance to ensuring banned substances are not used by players and regularly warns trainers and players to avoid their use.