KUALA LUMPUR – Ninety per cent of the National athletes, who are bound for the Tokyo Olympics have passed their drug test, according to the Anti-Doping Agency of Malaysia (ADAMAS).
Its director, Azura Abidin said that, so far, 27 out of the 30 athletes have completed their doping tests. However, they are still one three athletes who have yet to take the doping test.
She said that out of the three athletes, one is under quarantine after returning home from an overseas competition while the other two, who are located overseas, have taken a drug test conducted by the International Sports Federation (IF).
“All the athletes are required to undergo the doping tests, either under their respective NADOs (National Anti-Doping Organisations) or IFs. We started conducting doping tests on the athletes in May.
“It is based on ADAMAS’ Risk Assessment and Testing Distribution Plan based on the International Standard for Testing and Investigations (ISTI) issued by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA),” she said.
She also reminded the athletes that they were fully responsible for any substance taken, whether it is an attempt to take or is found in their (body) system.
“If any banned substances or metabolites are found in their samples, the athletes will be held responsible and it will be up to the athletes to prove they are not guilty,” she said.
Asked about the risk of sabotage, Azura said WADA had introduced a whistle-blower policy which gave athletes rights if there was an element of sabotage or activities involving doping symptoms.
According to her, the policy, among others, provided education on their rights to protect themselves such as justice to contest, freedom of speech and protection of personal rights.
“If athletes feel threatened, they have the right to lodge a report with ADAMAS and, they and their information will be kept confidential in accordance with the Whistle-blower Protection Act 2010 (Act 711),” she said.
Azura said ADAMAS also continued with its anti-doping awareness and education programme virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This included the Anti-Doping Education and Learning (ADEL) and outreach programmes as well as online education involving registered drugs and the side effects of steroid intake.
Malaysia will be represented by 30 athletes in 27 events involving 10 sports at the Tokyo Olympics.
The first batch of athletes, comprising four sailors, left for Tokyo on July 8, while the second batch will leave on July 17 and the third and final batch will depart on July 25. – Bernama, July 13, 2021.
