KUALA LUMPUR: The National Anti-Doping Agency of Malaysia (Adamas) today confirmed that four athletes who had competed in the Sarawak Malaysia Games in July, tested positive for banned substances.
One is a weightlifter, another is a boxer while two more are archers. All four had won medals in the under-21 competition.
The weightlifter tested positive for steroids while the boxer was found to have diuretics in his or her system. The two archers tested positive for sibutramine.
They, however, have the right to challenge the result and have their 'B' sample tested.
Adamas unit head Nishel Kumar said the National Sports Associations (NSA) responsible for the athletes have until October 15 to decide on whether their athletes want to have their 'B' samples opened, or to admit if they did intentionally take the drugs.
“The NSA will receive the official results of the test tomorrow, after which they must inform the athletes involved," Nishel told a press conference in KL today.
"They have to let us know of the athletes’ decision by Oct 15, after which they must conduct a hearing for the athlete.”
All four athletes face a four year ban in line with the 2015 World Anti-Doping Agency code, if found guilty.