No Compromises For Podium Athletes Using Banned Substances

KUALA LUMPUR, May 4 (Bernama) – The National Sports Institute (ISN) will take firm action against any athlete under the Podium Programme involved in the use of illegal substances at the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia, in August. ISN chairman Abdul Azim Mohd Zabidi said it would not hesitate to drop any Podium Programme athlete under ISN supervision if they failed in the doping test at the Asian Games later. He said ISN could not take action against athletes who were not under the Podium Programme because only national sports associations could take action against the athletes involved. "However, I hope the national sports associations will take this matter (doping) seriously because it involves the honour of the country," he told reporters on the 2018 Asian Games preparation with the Malaysian Contingent Leader here Thursday. The media previously reported a national weightlifting athlete, who won a bronze medal, failing a doping test when participating in the 2018 Commonwealth Games at the Gold Coast, last month. In the meantime, Abdul Azim said the post-mortem conducted by ISN officials on the performances of national athletes at the 2018 Commonwealth Games was completed and the ISN High Performance Sports Unit was reviewing some improvements that could be made to help boost the performance of the nation's athletes at the Asian Games later.  Abdul Azim also said ISN would focus on preparation in terms of recovery and mental preparation to strengthen the preparation of the country's athletes in facing the 2018 Asian Games. Among the identified recovery strategies that could impact on the athletes’ performance were hydrotherapy comprising 'contrast water therapy' and 'cold water immersion'. In addition, other strategies were sports massages, the use of compression garments, stretching activities, supplementary food intake and adequate sleep time. Mental preparation included motivation and commitment, focus, ability to manage stress, self-esteem and endurance. Abdul Azim said that 82 sports science and medical officers would be involved in helping the national athletes during the 2018 Asian Games from Aug 18 to Sept 2. -- BERNAMA