Thai badminton star Ratchanok weeps in relief after being cleared of doping charges

BANGKOK - Thai badminton star Ratchanok Intanon broke down in tears and spoke of her relief on Monday (July 18) after being cleared of doping, ending fears her Olympic dreams had been scuppered.

The 21-year-old shuttler, who is beloved in Thailand and remains the kingdom's best chance for a medal in Rio, tested positive for a banned substance in May after a tournament in China.

But the Badminton World Federation (BWF) cleared her on Monday after ruling that the substance had been administered to treat a tendon injury and was allowed.

"I was confident in my innocence and I am glad that I received justice. I will practise and hope to bring a medal back for Thais," she told reporters at a press conference in Bangkok.

"The Olympics is my dream," she added, before bursting into tears.

Ratchanok has charmed the Thai public with her on-court heroics and girl-next-door demeanour. Photo: AFP

Rumours of the positive test result first surfaced in the Thai media last week, leaving fans on tenterhooks.

In a statement, the BWF said Ratchanok tested positive for triamcinolone acetonide, a corticosteroid which is banned in most circumstances.

However, it is allowed under the BWF's rules if administered directly into a muscle tendon for medical reasons.

"The panel concluded that because the route of administration of the substance in the medical treatment process was intratendinous -- an authorised administration route -- no violation of the regulations was committed," the BWF said.

Patama Leeswadtrakul, president of the Badminton Association of Thailand, said doctors had been treating Ratchanok for pain in her right hand and back.

"We said it was used honestly to cure her injuries," she told reporters.

The 21-year-old star has charmed the Thai public - who affectionately call her Nong May - with her on-court heroics, her girl-next-door demeanour despite the fame and riches of sporting success, and her rags-to-riches story.

Ratchanok acknowledging the crowd at the Singapore Indoor Stadium during the Singapore Open in April. Photo: AP

In 2013, she became the youngest ever world champion. She was briefly ranked No 1 after winning Singapore Open in April but has since slipped to fourth.

A medal favourite in Rio, she will carry the Olympic hopes of a country with few top-class athletes.

Ratchanok's parents are migrants to Bangkok from the country's poor northeast who worked in menial jobs at a badminton centre on the outskirts of the city.

While they worked, Ratchanok played badminton unlocking her talent at the age of six.

Ratchanok is one of Thailand's brightest hopes for an Olympic medal from Rio. Photo: Reuters

In a recent interview with AFP in Bangkok, she said she was "100 percent confident" of bringing home a medal from the Rio Olympics.

Fans congratulated Ratchanok on her Instagram account where she had recently posted a picture of the stars with the cryptic caption "I'm faded" as the doping rumours swirled last week.

"The sky after a storm always shines," one fan wrote.

Another added: "You're not faded, you are now brighter." AFP