INCHEON: Wushu exponent Tai Cheau Xuen should know in the next 48 hours whether she gets to keep her Asiad gold.
Chef de mission Datuk Danyal Balagopal said Dr Arshad Puji, the medical head of the Malaysian contingent in Incheon, had submitted an appeal letter on Wednesday to a representative from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to contest the decision of the Olympic Council of Asia to withdraw Cheau Xuen’s gold.
Cheau Xuen, who turns 23 on Thursdday, was tested positive for the stimulant sibutramine after winning the women’s nanquan and nandao all-round event on Sept 20, the first day of competition in Incheon.
The OCA announced on Tuesday that Cheau Xuen would have to return the gold.
“We submitted the appeal based on scientific evidence and procedure. The good thing about the Asian Games is there is an ad-hoc committee based in Incheon and it does not cost us anything to file an appeal.
“If we were to submit the appeal to the CAS office in Switzerland after the Asian Games, we’ll need to pay ?50,000 (RM207,022).
“I was told the CAS has a KPI index to come out with a judgment in 48 hours.
“But we have to be realistic as the chances of them overturning a decision is slim based on previous cases. We presented our case well in the letter and can only hope for the best,” said Danyal, adding that Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin had been briefed on the development.
“We strongly believe Cheau Xuen had no intention to cheat. I was told there is a four-day allowance given for the medal won by an athlete who tested positive for doping to be withdrawn from the Games’ medal tally. Anyway, we have applied for a stay of order.”
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