"The case sends a strong message to elite athletes in the sport who need to be aware of prohibited substances and the consequences of taking these either deliberately or inadvertently," said Thomas Lund, the Badminton World Federation's chief operating officer.

Zhou Mi acknowledged that she had taken over-the-counter medication but was unaware that it contained a prohibited substance, the BWF said in a statement.

"The sanction means that Zhou Mi cannot participate in any badminton at the international, national and local level for a period of two years," Mr Lund said.

Zhou Mi plans to appeal against the suspension.