KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 10 – Malaysia’s world number one shuttler Datuk Lee Chong Wei, who failed a doping test, Sunday thanked his supporter for standing by him in facing a difficult time.
He also reiterated that he had never used a banned substance as a shortcut to achieve numerous successes as an athlete.
“There are so many unanswered questions and I hope to clear my name soon.I never cheated nor will I ever rely on banned substances,” he said in his Facebook.
Chong Wei failed a random doping test at the Badminton World Chamionship in Copenhagen in August where he was the runners-up in the men’s singles and on Friday, his Sample B also tested positive for the banned substance dexamethosene at the Oslo University Hospital in Norway.
Meanwhile, National Sports Institute (ISN) Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Dr Ramlan Abdul Aziz urged all quarters not to make any further comments until the Badminton World Federation’s hearing into the case.
“To comment any further would be highly inappropriate and disrespectful to the federation’s procedures and may undermine our athlete’s prospects at the hearing.
“I fully understand and respect the public’s desire to be informed but ask to strike a proper balance between that need, and the critical need to preserve the integrity of our ongoing detailed investigations into the matter.This is of paramount importance,” Ramlan said in a statement posted in ISN’s Facebook today.
He said it was also important for the public to respect the athlete’s privacy in facing such a massive challenge to his good name and reputation.
Ramlan also urged all quarters not directly put the blame on the institute for its failure in overseeing Chong Wei’s medication.
“We do not feel compelled to dignify such negative, irresponsible and unproductive murmurings by according any response to them at this time. We would much rather concentrate our efforts to continue assisting our athlete in this terribly difficult time for him,” he said.
“We would do well to support the athlete who has given us a lot of joy with his exploits through the years. It’s best that we stand by him and wait patiently for this process to be completed, at which point most if not all questions will be answered,” Ramlan added.
This was revealed by the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) deputy president Datuk Norza Zakaria at a media conference yesterday.
He said that he has received the official result from the BWF, a day before.
Chong Wei could face a maximum two-years suspension by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) if he fails in his appeal to BWF.
