KUALA LUMPUR — Nearly two months after the close of the 29th South-east Asian Games, Singapore has added a gold medal to its haul after a Malaysian diver was found to have failed a doping test.
The Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia (Asum) confirmed on Thursday (Oct 26) that 24-year-old Wendy Ng Yan Yee failed a doping test at the recent Kuala Lumpur SEA Games.
Ng’s B sample had also tested positive for the banned substance sibutramine, an appetite suppressant commonly found in weight loss supplements.
She will be stripped of the gold medals she won in the women’s 3m springboard individual, and 3m springboard synchronised event (with Nur Dhabitah Sabri) during the 29th SEA Games.
The disqualification in the latter event means that Singapore’s Ashlee Tan and Fong Kay Yian will be awarded the gold medal.
Fong Kay Yian (L) and Ashlee Tan Yi Xuan (R) of Singapore. AFP file photo
This will take the Republic’s gold medal tally to 58, and edge Vietnam to the third spot on the medal table tally. The Singapore contingent had its best-ever away Games performance in KL.
Ng’s compatriot, Nur Dhabitah Sabri, will take the gold in the women’s 3m springboard individual event.
With one less gold medal, Malaysia will still maintain its position atop the medal tally.
Ng will face a maximum ban of two years by the World Anti-Doping Agency, though sibutramine is not considered a performance enhancer.
Both Asum and Ng have declined comment on the matter.
Ng is, however, likely to face a hearing which will determine the length of her suspension. AGENCIES
