World No. 1 Lee Chong Wei suspended after failing a drug test

Lee Chong Wei

Kuala Lumpur, Nov 11 (IANS)

Malaysian great Lee Chong Wei was Tuesday provisionally suspended by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) due to an apparent anti-doping regulation violation.

"The world-governing body has imposed this suspension due to an adverse analytical finding of a sample taken at the World Championships in August," a BWF statement said.

"The BWF has referred the matter to its Doping Hearing Panel and, in due course, the chair of the panel will set the time, date and location of a hearing. The panel will determine whether or not the athlete has committed an anti-doping regulation violation."

In accordance with Clause 14.4.1 of the BWF Anti-Doping Regulations, and following the imposition of the provisional suspension, the BWF and the member association, in this case the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM), are now able to publicly identify the player involved in this matter.

The provisional suspension (Clause 7.6.2) means the athlete is barred temporarily from participation in any competition prior to the Doping Hearing Panel's decision.

The BWF added that there will be "no further comment" from them regarding the issue until the panel makes its ruling.

Lee is a two-time Olympic silver medallist and twice a Commonwealth Games champion.