Thailand’s Nuttapong Ketin has had his doping suspension reduced from 4 years to 2, allowing him to swim in this week’s Southeast Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur.
Ketin’s doping offense came in the spring of 2015, when he tested positive for clenbuterol. He was originally slapped with a four-year sanction of ineligibility handed down by the Thai Swimming Association. That kept him out of both the 2015 Southeast Asian Games as well as the 2016 Rio Olympics, and was set to keep him out of this summer’s action as well as next year’s. But Ketin is competing at SEA Games this week and in fact has already won the 200 breast for Thailand.
The Thai swimming federation says that Ketin’s suspension was reduced by the Sports Authority of Thailand, and that FINA confirmed Ketin’s eligibility as of this May.
The “Sports Authority of Thailand have agreed to reduce of the sanction of Mr. Nuttapong Ketin from 4 to 2 years,” the Thailand Swimming Association wrote to us in an e-mail. “The sanction started form [sic] 3rd May 2015 to 2nd May 2017. Accordingly, FINA have acknowledged and confirmed us that Mr. Ketin was eligible to participate again in swimming competitions as of 3rd May 2017.”
Ketin is the Thai record holder in the 100 and 200 breaststrokes as well as the 200 IM.