I feel strongly that I deserve an explanation from Datuk Lee Chong Wei for this apparent issue about him failing a random doping test several weeks ago.
This is simply because Chong Wei is a national icon the entire country look up to as a hero and Malaysian representative on the world stage.
In becoming the world's number one badminton player, Chong Wei has brought Malaysian sports to the next level.
Don't forget, he is also the country's most decorated Olympian!
Malaysians have bonded and come together whenever we watched our hero play in international tournaments, and have supported him every single time, win or lose.
No Malaysian can ever blame Chong Wei for not giving his best in everything that he does or even giving up. Just look back at the last Olympics final, when he fought tooth and nail against his arch nemesis Lin Dan of China, and eventually lost.
The disappointment and tears shed during the medal presentation was enough for the nation to forgive him and continue to support him through thick and thin.
Through his perseverance and relentless attitude, he has inspired many Malaysians to give their best in everything that they do and to have self-confidence knowing that they can be the best.
However, in my opinion,the most valuable contribution that Chong Wei has done, is to make Malaysians feel like true Malaysians, even if it is just for those few hours whenever he plays.
And because of this, he, and everyone involved, owes me and all Malaysians an explanation to what really took place that made him fail the doping test.
But demanding an explanation, it doesn’t mean that I am not supporting him. It does not mean that I am only with him when he is a champion, and forsake him when he is down.
I want an explanation because I want to continue supporting him and to show him that his contributions to the nation is very much appreciated.
What we know now is that Chong Wei had failed a random doping test which showed the presence of a drug called dexamethasone in his system.
Dexamethasone, is normally used as a control drug when a patient is under anesthesia.
He has admitted that he went for surgery to repair his injured thigh last July. The surgery had taken place at a private medical facility recommended by the National Sports Institute.
Traces of dexamethasone injected would, technically, have already flushed out of his system by the time he went for his next tournament. Do note that the drug is not allowed only in-competition.
The question is, why was it still traceable in his system at the World Championships in Sweden, in August, about a month after he went for the surgery?
Also, why did he go to a private facility and was he and his team of officials aware that he was administered the drug during the surgery in July?
Questions like these may sound like its a blame game, but I hope it isn’t seen that way. Despite this bump in his life, it seems that everyone continues to rally behind their champion.
Chong Wei himself has publicly stated that he has worked hard, never cheated and never relied on banned substances, and issues like this has never been associated with him anyway.
As for now, the Badminton World Federation (BWF) has provisionally suspended him until his hearing, which has been set for early December, to determine if he had violated the anti-doping regulations.
Youth and Sports Minister, Khairy Jamaluddin, has said that the ministry will hire the best legal practitioners to help defend Chong Wei in this case.
If found guilty, he risks being banned for two years and that means he would be out from the next Olympics in 2016, and his (and Malaysia’s) long time dream of winning a gold medal will be dashed.
And so, I really feel that I, along with the rest of Malaysia, deserve an explanation on this fiasco because Datuk Lee Chong Wei is a national treasure that we all own a part of.
Zan Azlee
Thu Nov 13 2014
Zan Azlee has supported Datuk Lee Chong Wei through thick and thin and feels he deserves an explanation from his hero.
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