Doping: B sample to be tested in Nov 4 or 5

KUALA LUMPUR: Nov 4 or Nov 5 – that’s when the B sample of a national athlete will be tested.

The A sample of the athlete has been tested positive for dexamethasone.

Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said that the international federation (IF) had given the national association the two dates to choose from to open the B sample.

The athlete, who has the right to choose the date, has been informed of the latest development.

Once the date has been chosen, arrangements will be made to fly the athlete to Oslo, Norway, to witness the opening of the B sample.

“The international federation concerned have given Nov 4 and Nov 5 as the dates for the opening of the B sample. At this moment, the athlete has not made a decision,” said Khairy.

“I am not going but I will be sending Dr Ramlan and Nishel.”

Datuk Dr Ramlan Aziz is the National Sports Institute (NSI) chief executive officer and Nishel Kumar is the head of Adamas (Anti-Doping Agency of Malaysia).

On Monday, Khairy had confirmed that an athlete had failed a dope test during a recent major tournament.

He did not reveal the identity of the athlete, saying he would only do so once the result of the B sample is known.

Although there has been no official statement, it is believed that the athlete is world No. 1 shuttler Lee Chong Wei.

It is learnt that his urine sample has been found to have traces of the banned substance dexamethasone during a test done after the semi-finals of the World Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Dexamethasone is not a performance-enhancing drug but a type of steroid medication with anti-inflammatory effects that is usually used to aid an athlete’s rehabilitation.

Asked if he has been keeping in touch with the athlete, the minister said: “I have been in touch with the athlete. The athlete is anxious, but that is expected.”

“We are going through the athlete’s recent medical history to see how the substance could be present.”