PETALING JAYA: Lee Chong Wei (pic) knows all about failing a dope test.
After all, the three-time Olympic silver medallist is Malaysia’s highest profile dope offender.
The shuttler, who turns 35 on Oct 12, tested positive for dexamethasone at the World Championships in 2014.
He was stripped of his world meet silver medal and handed an eight-month ban.
But Chong Wei made a successful comeback and went on to win his third Olympic silver medal at the Rio Games last year.
And the world No. 7 has advised the national diver, who failed a dope test at the SEA Games in August, to remain strong.
“Failing a dope test is really tough on an athlete. I know because I went through it,” said Chong Wei.
“It’s also difficult for an athlete because every year there are new substances added to the banned list.
“The best the athletes can do is to stay strong and put their trust in the National Sports Institute (NSI) to help them.”
Chong Wei however believes it is also the athletes’ responsibility to take care of themselves.
“We need to be extra careful especially with what we eat and the nutrients we take,” added Chong Wei.
“That’s why it is best that all nutrient be vetted by the NSI.”
Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) president Tunku Tan Sri Imran Tuanku Ja’afar had on Tuesday voiced out saying that athletes have themselves to blame if they fail dope tests given the zero-tolerance policy by the NSI and the National Sports Council (NSC).
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