Match Fixing

The players were one of four doubles teams who appeared to play badly on purpose to secure a better position in the next round of their doubles tournament.

Team coach, Li Yongbo also apologised, saying: "we didn't fully demonstrate the fighting spirit of the Chinese badminton team."

Li Yongbo: head coach of China badminton

In a message posted on a Chinese microblogging site, one of the players, Yu Yang, announced her intention to leave the sport altogether.

Her team mate Wang Xiaoli wants to prove herself by continuing to play.

Two teams from South Korea and one from Indonesia were also disqualified from the competition.

The players have been allowed to stay at the Games - a step lighter than expulsion, the penalty for positive drug tests.