Paris Olympics 2024: Denmark’s Mathias Christiansen pulls out of badminton mixed doubles

Danish star Mathias Christiansen has pulled out of the badminton mixed doubles event ahead of the Paris Olympics 2024 to be held from July 26 to August 11. On Wednesday, July 17, Badminton Denmark said that the shuttler withdrew after multiple errors that he made while reporting his whereabouts as per the anti-doping regulations.

The shuttler made three mistakes, although unintentionally. As per Denmark’s Anti-Doping code, three warnings in a period of 12 months can result in a case against an athlete, who may also go through a quarantine.

Mathias Christiansen was set to partner Alexandra Boje in mixed doubles. The Badminton World Federation confirmed his absence from the upcoming quadrennial event.

After deciding not to participate in the Paris Olympics, Mathias Christiansen said he was shattered for being careless and sloppy. He also rued the fact that the entire saga turned out to be an unfortunate one for Boje, who will also miss out on the upcoming tournament.

“I am devastated that my carelessness and sloppiness caused us to miss what should have been one of the highlights of our careers. I am 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,” Christiansen was quoted as saying in a statement.

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Mathias Christiansen's exit makes it 15 teams in Paris mixed doubles

The Danish duo recently played in Canada where they finished as the runners-up after losing 21-9, 22-24, 12-21 to Jesper Toft and Amalie Magelund.

Fifteen pairs will form the mixed doubles draw, with Group C having only three teams after Christiansen and Boje’s exit.

Christiansen now awaits to see whether Denmark’s Anti-Doping agency reports his case to the Doping Tribunal, after which a call on his sanction will be taken.

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