Mathias Christiansen has decided to withdraw from the badminton event in mixed doubles at the Paris Olympics. This is due to him having unintentionally made mistakes in three of his 'whereabouts' and thus risks a penalty.
When the Olympic tournament kicks off next week in Paris, it will be without Denmark's strong mixed doubles pair, Mathias Christiansen and Alexandra Bøje. Mathias Christiansen has informed Badminton Denmark that he will not compete at the Olympics.
This is due to Mathias Christiansen making three errors when disclosing his whereabouts. Athletes must report their daily whereabouts for the three months leading up to the beginning of the Olympic Games in accordance with anti-doping regulations.
According to the rules, three warnings in 12 months can lead to a case at Anti Doping Denmark as an anti-doping rule violation, which can potentially result in the athlete being suspended. For Mathias Christiansen, the decision to withdraw was difficult but inevitable.
“I'm devastated that my carelessness and sloppiness caused us to miss what should have been one of the highlights of our careers. I'm most devastated that it also means Alexandra won't be going to the Olympics. We have both trained intensively and have been looking forward to competing in Paris,” says Mathias Christiansen and continues:
“I don't want to risk that my participation at the Olympics creates unnecessary noise, which can also be disturbing for our good colleagues on the national team and the other Olympic athletes, and therefore I have chosen to withdraw,” he says.
Regret at Badminton Denmark and DIF
At Badminton Denmark and DIF (the National Olympic Committee and Sports Confederation of Denmark), there is both great regret over the situation and understanding for the decision.
“It's an incredibly unfortunate situation Mathias has found himself in - and at the worst possible time. We recognise the rules that apply in this area and that Mathias will most likely receive a suspension. But with our knowledge of the entire process and Mathias in general, we are convinced that this is simply a case of him unintentionally failing to register his whereabouts correctly. There is absolutely nothing that points to attempted cheating or deliberately failing to follow the applicable rules in this area,” says Jens Meibom, Head of Sport at Badminton Denmark.
“We think it's very responsible and proper that Mathias has chosen to withdraw from the Olympics. Participating in the Olympics with such a case hanging over his head will be a major disruption for Mathias and Alexandra, their badminton colleagues, and the rest of the Danish delegation to the Olympics. Going to the Olympics without Mathias and Alexandra is a shame, but ultimately the right decision,” says Jens Meibom.
The following reaction has been received from DIF:
“We understand the incredibly difficult situation that Mathias - and Alexandra - are going through right now. We are extremely sad that we are losing our strong mixed doubles team for the Paris Games, but we think Mathias has made the right decision - also for the sake of the other athletes. The rules are quite clear, and even though inadequate reporting of 'whereabouts' is far from being an attempt to cheat, the introduction of the 'whereabouts' rule has been one of the most important tools in the fight against doping. Therefore, they must be taken seriously, even though in this case there is nothing to indicate that this is anything other than cheating,” says Morten Mølholm Hansen, CEO of DIF and General Secretary of the Danish Olympic Committee.
Hoping for a strong comeback
Mathias Christiansen is now waiting to see if Anti Doping Denmark will report the case to the Doping Tribunal, which will then decide on a possible sanction.
“Right now, I'm waiting to see what happens with the case. As long as it's ongoing, I really just want peace and quiet to recover and figure out how to create the best possible foundation for my future badminton career,” says Mathias Christiansen.
And Badminton Denmark is ready to welcome Mathias Christiansen after his possible quarantine.
“We hope and do not want this to be the end of Mathias' career, and after the case is closed and the possible suspension is lifted, we are open to resume our full cooperation with Mathias,” says Jens Meibom.