Zhao Yunlei will only be able to defend her mixed doubles title in Rio ©Getty Images

Zhao Yunlei's hopes of becoming the first badminton player to achieve an Olympic "double-double" have ended after she was withdrawn by China for the Rio 2016 women's doubles.

The 29-year-old, who won gold in the women's doubles and mixed doubles at London 2012, was hoping to achieve the same feat again in Rio.

That would have made her the first player ever to win double gold at consecutive Olympics but along with her women's doubles partner from London, Tian Qing, she has now been pulled out.

China has instead handed the spot to Luo Ying and Luo Yu, who were ranked seventh in the world at the end of the qualification period on May 5.

Tang Yuanting and Yu Yang, who qualified third, will also represent China in the women's doubles.

Zhao will be able to defend her mixed doubles title, however, alongside her London partner Zhang Nan.

Zhao Yunlei (left) will not be able to defend her women's doubles title at Rio 2016 with Tian Qing (right) ©Getty Images
Zhao Yunlei (left) will not be able to defend her women's doubles title at Rio 2016 with Tian Qing (right) ©Getty Images

The withdrawal from the women's doubles has had an unfortunate consequence for Lithuania's Akvile Stapusaityte, who has now been removed from singles competition.

The women's world number 77 was one of three players awarded conditional positions as a result of players qualifying in two categories but will now not compete.

The Badminton World Federation (BWF) set a deadline of July 18 for the confirmed list of Rio athletes.

There were no other withdrawals apart from Zhao and Tian.

The draw for the Olympic competition will now be made at the Riocentro - Pavilion 4 venue on July 26.

Seedings will be based on world rankings.