KUALA LUMPUR: Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia's (Asum) president Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim on Saturday confirmed that the diver who failed her doping test at the Kuala Lumpur Sea Games in August tested positive for the banned substance sibutramine.
Shahidan, who is also a Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, said the national body have already contacted the athlete, who made a direct request to the Sea Games Federation’s (SEAGF) anti-doping committee to exercise her right to have a B sample test.
"The Asum discipline panel met today to discuss two matters that have been linked to the national diving squad. The first case involves an Asum athlete who was part of the Malaysian contingent at the KL Games, who failed a dope test.
"Asum have already been notified by the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM), as the athlete tested positive for the banned substance sibutramine. We have spoken to the athlete, who now wants to have the B sample tested," said Shahidan after chairing the panel meeting at the Seri Pacific Hotel here.
He added that in line with World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) regulations, the athlete's identity will only be revealed after the B sample testing.
As a result, the national body cannot take any action against the athlete until the SEAGF decides on the next course of action.
Meanwhile, Shahidan explained that Asum cannot elaborate on the alleged rape case involving a national coach and his trainee, as it is still under police investigation.
"Asum agree with our Sports Minister's (Khairy Jamaluddin) statement to support and cooperate with the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) in their investigation. The national body have also decided to relieve the coach and the athlete involved from all national duties and sports programmes until the case is over.
"Asum also fully supports the initiative of the Sports Ministry to form a special task force that will deal with sexual (crime)-related cases in national sports programmes. The Ministry, through the NSC (National Sports Council), have decided to suspend the coach until investigations are complete," he added.
It is learnt that the coach, a China-born permanent resident, had allegedly committed the crime at the National Sports Complex in Bukit Jalil on Sept 26.
Translated from Berita Harian