Badminton Fed Suspends World Number One -- Federations Focus

(ATR) The Badminton World Federation has given a provisional suspension to the top men’s player in the world.

Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia tested positive for dexamethasone, a banned anti-inflammatory agent. The Badminton Association of Malaysia confirmed on Saturday that one of its players had tested positive, but declined to release the name.

The BWF imposed the suspension "due to an adverse analytical finding of a sample taken at the BWF World Championships in August."

The federation said in a statement that the matter has been referred to a doping hearing panel. The time, date and location of the hearing which will determined whether a violation was committed have not yet been determined.

In messages posted to social media, Lee said, "I just want to thank every one of you who had faith in me through this difficult time. There are so many unanswered questions, and I hope to clear my name soon. I have never cheated nor will I ever rely on banned substances."

Lee could face a two-year ban and the revocation of the world championship silver medal he won in August as well as two bronze medals from the Asian Games in September.

Biathlon Pushes for Swifter Sanctions

(ATR) The International Biathlon Union says future sanctions should be handed down more quickly for athletes who have been caught doping during the Olympics.

The comments came in response to the drawn-out case of Evi Sachenbacher-Stehle, who tested positive at the Sochi Olympics in February but was not suspended by the IBU until July.

IBU secretary general Nicole Resch says having the separate sanctions processes carried out by the IOC and the international federations are to blame.

"Splitting the case in two does not help all those involved," Resch told Europe Online. "In case of positive tests during the Olympics, the IOC should conduct conclusive procedures together with the [IFs]."

Resch said the delay was due in part to the IBU having to deal with four doping cases simultaneously.

Sailing Fed Votes on Rio 2016 Format

(ATR) The International Sailing Federation shored up its format and equipment procedures for Rio 2016 at a conference in Mallorca over the weekend.

For Rio 2016, the council voted in favor of one double points medal race without boundaries and a target time of 20 minutes.

Also, all equipment used for the sailing competition will be distributed after a public draw to guarantee transparency.

The council also agreed on a recommendation from the events committee on a number of regattas to be held over the next two years leading up to the Olympics.

Egypt Withdraws from FINA Event

(ATR) Egypt will not participate in the upcoming world short-course swimming championships in Qatar.

The African country dropped out of the competition on Wednesday. According to the AP, international swimming federation FINA "regrets the Egyptian Swimming Federation decision to not take part" in the competition.

Egpyt is the third country to decline participation in a Qatari-based world championship after Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates pulled their teams out from the 24-nation men's handball worlds earlier this month over presumed political differences.

Without Egypt’s participation, the short-course swimming championships will feature 900 athletes from 170 countries competing. The championships are scheduled for Dec. 3 – 7.

Written by Nick Devlin and Andrew Murrell

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