Olympian Mohd Hafifi provisionally suspended by IWF for doping offence

KUALA LUMPUR: Olympian Mohd Hafifi Mansor has been provisionally suspended by the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) for an alleged doping offence.
The international body stated that the sample he returned had an Adverse Analytical Finding for Oxymetholone.
"In any case, where it is determined that the athlete did not commit an anti-doping rule violation, the relevant decision will also be published. IWF will not make any further comments on the case until it is closed," IWF posted on its official website, www.iwf.net.
Oxymetholone is a synthetic, potent anabolic-androgenic steroid.
Meanwhile, Malaysian Anti-Doping Agency (Adamas) deputy director S. Nishel Kumar confirmed the suspension.
"It is too early to comment on the matter … We will liaise with the Malaysian Weightlifting Federation (MWF)," he said.
Nishel Kumar said Adamas was informed of the doping violation by the IWF on Oct 11.
"We were asked to determine if the athlete concerned accepted the result or wish to challenge it. We will help the MWF to resolve the matter," he added.
He is believed to have failed the doping test in March.
The 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games gold medallist, who also featured at the Rio Olympics last year, missed the KL 2017 SEA Games believed due to a torn ligament on his right leg suffered during training in Jinzhou, China.
Mohd Hafifi is considered as a gold medal hope for Malaysia at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.
Adamas director Datuk Dr Ramlan Abdul Aziz said that if the 26-year-old weightlifter may choose to be present at the opening of the B bottle at the laboratory in Sydney, Australia on his own expense.
"I cannot comment much on the ongoing case, the matter is with IWF and MWF. He may go (to Sydney) alone or with whomever he wishes to accompany him, most likely from MWF.
"If he does not go ... bottle B will still be opened at the prescribed time and duly tested," he said.
It is definitely an unhappy news for Adamas, as only a week before, a female diver was reported to have failed doping test conducted during the Kuala Lumpur Sea Games in August.
The gold medallist tested positive for sibutramine, a substance easily found in weight loss products.
"Of course I am disappointed … We are committed to zero tolerance and will strive to see the eradication of doping in Malaysian sport. It is a big ongoing challenge," Ramlan added.
— Bernama