Dexamethasone administered to Chong Wei by specialist clinic, says Khairy

PUTRAJAYA: The banned substance dexamethasone was not administered to Datuk Lee Chong Wei by doctors at the National Sports Institute (ISN) but a specialist sports clinic in Kuala Lumpur as part of stem cell treatment for an injury, said Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.

"Dexamethasone is allowed for out-of-competition athletes seeking treatment for injuries.

"Traces remain in the body for 10 days but in this case, we are not sure why it lasted longer than that," he told reporters after attending the launching of the GeNexter Carnival 2014 in Putrajaya, Sunday.

Chong Wei had reportedly suffered a thigh injury and sought stem cell treatment in July. 

Khairy said it was the National Sports Institute that referred Chong Wei to the clinic.

With regards to the Badminton World Federation (BWF) hearing, Khairy said that preparations were being made and more would be revealed in due course.

Chong Wei, 32, was tested positive for dexamethasone during a random doping test at the World Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark in August.

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