HEARING NO MORE THAN A FORMALITY
Wendy likely to lose two gold medals won at KL Sea Games
FADHLI ISHAK fadhli.ishak@nst.com.my
DIVER Wendy Ng, who failed a dope test, will likely lose the two gold medals she won at the Kuala Lumpur Sea Games in August.
The Sea Games Federation (SGF) hearing committee are expected to forward their findings to KL 2017 medical and anti-doping committee head Datuk Dr S. S. Cheema later this week.
The committee conducted a hearing with Wendy via video conference yesterday.
Wendy tested positive for the banned substance sibutramine at the Sea Games.
“To ensure impartiality, there were no Malaysians in the SGF hearing committee,” said Cheema.
“The panel comprised three individuals — one from Vietnam, one from Singapore while the third is a foreigner residing in Malaysia.
“They are from different countries, which is why it was done via video conference.
“I hope to receive the compiled findings by the end of the week, after which I will present it to SGF. Then, a decision will be made on whether to withdraw the medals she had won.
“We will also forward a copy of the hearing report to the Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia (ASUM).
“At the federation level (SGF), we can only withdraw the medals, any sanctioning is up to ASUM.”
With Wendy having failed her B sample test last month the hearing is likely to be only a formality.
Cheema admitted that she will likely lose the 3m springboard individual gold medal as well as the 3m springboard synchro title with Nur Dhabitah Sabri.
“Basically there is no hope for a successful appeal. I do not think that will happen. It is the same as the 4x400m athletics gold that Malaysia won at the 2011 Indonesia Sea Games.
“Everybody likes to appeal and we do not blame them for asking. As much as I pity the girl due to the nature of the substance, the law is clear and action needs to be taken against those guilty,” he added.
Sibutramine is an appetite suppressant often found in weight loss products. It is not a performance enhancer.
Malaysia lost their 4x400m relay gold at the 2011 Palembang edition after one of the runners tested positive for anabolic steroids.