Malaysians jump to Lee’s defense after positive test
Print Edition
MALAYSIAN officials yesterday said an unnamed player widely believed to be world No. 1 Lee Chong Wei had failed a drugs test — but leapt to his defense, saying he would never take “shortcuts” to boost his career.
Reports of a failed drugs test by the long-time top player with a reputation for humility and diligence have shocked followers of what is one of Asia’s most popular sports.
“I want to stress this is not a performance enhancing drug. It shouldn’t affect (the public’s) perception of badminton. This is not (sprinter) Ben Johnson or (cyclist) Lance Armstrong,” sports minister Khairy Jamaluddin was quoted by The Star as saying.
Norza Zakaria, deputy president of the Badminton Association of Malaysia, told a press conference that a player had been temporarily suspended after his B-sample tested positive for the banned anti-inflammatory dexamethasone.
Lee reportedly flew to Norway to witness a second test this week at a laboratory there, following a positive result in an initial test in late August.
Norza said the player could not be named citing due process, with the Badminton World Federation set to hold a hearing. The date for that hearing has not been set, he said.
Lee, who has been widely named by Malaysian media, faces a suspension of up to two years over the offense.
“I would like to inform you that we believe that this player is a very hard-working player and an exceptional individual,” Norza said. “We also believe that he has never resorted to shortcuts in his pursuit of success.”
Norza said officials were still probing how the substance could get into the shuttler’s system.
He said the player had denied taking the drug on purpose but received treatment in July for a thigh injury.
Lee, 32, received stem cell injections for a thigh injury in July.
Lee reportedly failed the drug test after his semifinal victory at the World Badminton Championships in Copenhagen. He lost to China’s Chen Long in the finals in another heartbreak for the shuttler. Lee has been at or near the top of the rankings since 2008, but has so far failed to win a world title or Olympic gold.
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