KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 27 ― “To Wendy (Ng Yan Yee) this will be the toughest time in your entire life but believe me, you will come back stronger,” so says Malaysia No. 1 badminton player Lee Chong Wei.
Malaysian diver Wendy was revealed yesterday as the diver who failed a doping test at the Kuala Lumpur Sea Games (KL2017).
Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia (Asum) honorary secretary Mae Chen confirmed Wendy’s B sample tested positive for the banned substance sibutramine by the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) at its laboratory in New Delhi on Oct 11.
Sibutramine is an appetite suppressant which is commonly found in weight loss supplements.
Wendy will be stripped of the gold medals she won at KL SEA Games in the women’s 3m springboard individual and 3m springboard synchronised event with Nur Dhabitah Sabri.
Chong Wei, 35, said he will not hesitate to see Wendy anytime to support the two-time Olympian — London 2012 and Rio 2016.
Former world No 1 Chong Wei was stripped of his silver medal and handed the ban after testing positive at the 2014 World Championships.
Chong Wei, who failed a test for anti-inflammatory corticosteroid dexamethasone, also reminded Wendy to stay strong.
“I’ve been there too ... it felt like my life is ‘dead’. At this time, you will lose your friends and only the ones that truly care for you will stay,” said Chin Wei.
“But the one can help you is yourself. You need to be strong and after that you will be stronger ... like Wendy she is still young and have a long way to go,” he said.
Chong Wei said it is the responsibility of all athletes to ensure they strictly monitored their diets.
“Sometimes we do not know how the thing ended in our body. We just need to be careful,” he said.
“To Wendy ... I’m here for you. If you need someone to talk too, I’m always here.”
Meanwhile, track cyclist Shah Firdaus Sahrom, who is tipped to be the next Azizulhasni Awang, said Wendy needs full support from people close to her and family.
“I also do not know how it can be positive. I did not take anything,” said Shah Firdaus of his dark time being tested positive.
“So she’s (Wendy) facing the same thing now. What can I say is, the world is not ended for you ... just keep fighting,” he added from Melbourne.
Shah Firdaus had also tested positive with corticosteroid dexamethasone.
The Johor rider had tested positive for the banned substance after winning the bronze medal in the men’s 200m sprint at the 2014 Malaysia Games (Sukma) in Kangar on May 31.
