Mathias Christiansen Withdraws from Paris Olympics Over Anti-Doping Mistakes

Danish badminton player Mathias Christiansen has officially withdrawn from the Paris Olympics, following multiple unintentional errors related to anti-doping reporting requirements. The national federation announced the decision on Wednesday, attributing the withdrawal to mistakes in reporting his whereabouts.

The Badminton World Federation has confirmed Christiansen's absence, along with the removal of his team with partner Alexandra Boje from the mixed doubles draw. According to Badminton Denmark, Christiansen made three mistakes in reporting his whereabouts, a requirement under anti-doping regulations that mandate athletes to disclose their location for the upcoming three months.

Christiansen, 30, expressed his devastation over the errors and emphasized his desire not to be a distraction. Despite the incident, Jens Meibom, head of Badminton Denmark, asserted there was no evidence of deliberate misconduct. The BWF stated that Christiansen and Boje would not be replaced, adhering to qualifying regulations. The mixed doubles will continue with three teams in Group C. Christiansen and Boje had previously competed in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, finishing third in their group. The badminton competition in Paris is set to begin on July 27.

(With inputs from agencies.)