KUALA LUMPUR – The Anti-Doping Agency of Malaysia (Adamas) will continue with efforts to curb the use of banned substances among certain athletes by carrying out smart testing ahead of the two major multi-sports Games: the SEA Games and the Asiad.
Adamas director Azura Abidin said the smart testing mechanism will focus on sports where there is a high risk of athletes using banned substances to improve performances.
“This smart testing covers urine, blood, Athlete Biological Passport, and steroid profiling tests.
“For athletes who will be involved in the Cambodia SEA Games and Hangzhou Asian Games, out-of-competition tests will be carried out based on the stated mechanism.
“Adamas has prepared a risk assessment and developed a test distribution plan for the implementation of the doping control testing programme throughout the year,” she said.
The SEA Games will be held in Phnom Penh from May 5-17 while the Asian Games will be held in Hangzhou, China from September 23-October 8 after having to be postponed for a year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Among the sports which have a record of using banned substances in Malaysia since 2016 are weightlifting, which is considered critical, bodybuilding, athletics, archery, wushu, diving, swimming, badminton, football, judo, boxing, Muay Thai, hockey, and powerlifting.
Meanwhile, Azura reminded all athletes and support staff to know the rules and understand their responsibilities under the World Anti-Doping Code.
“The Principle of Strict Liability applies to all athletes, meaning they are fully responsible for the substances found in their urine and blood samples collected during testing, regardless of whether the athlete intentionally or unintentionally used the banned substances.
“The athletes must also understand the list of prohibitions and risks of using supplements or food supplements,” she said.
If athletes need to use banned substances for medical purposes, they need to apply for a therapeutic use exemption to Adamas, but it is not permitted for performance enhancement.
She said Adamas would also continue to implement anti-doping educational programmes, including seminars, outreach programmes webinar series and dissemination of educational information via digital platforms through the 2023 Adamas Anti-Doping Education Plan, to athletes and sports officials.
“We urge all national sports associations to work closely with Adamas to ensure athletes receive anti-doping education to avoid future anti-doping rule violations,” she said. – Bernama, March 21, 2023
