Lee Chong Wei withdraws from Hong Kong Open after allegations of doping
Malaysian ace will not make his title defence at US$350,000 event, the first time he has missed tournament in almost a decade
Defending champion Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia will miss next month's Yonex-Sunrise Hong Kong Open for the first time in almost a decade after being allegedly involved in a doping scandal that has shocked the badminton world.
The world number one was in the initial entry list (released on October 17) for the US$350,000 tournament at Hong Kong Coliseum from November 18-23, but when organisers finalised the list over the weekend, his number one seed position was replaced by Chen Long of China, the world number two, while Jan O. Jorgensen of Denmark took the second seeding.
Lee, who celebrated his 32nd birthday last week, has won the men's singles crown three times in Hong Kong since 2005, including an easy straight games victory over Sony Dwi Kuncoro of Indonesia last November.
We know little about the alleged doping case and, hopefully, it can be cleared sooner
"His absence is a big shock," said Hong Kong team head coach Tim He Yiming. "Lee is always well received in Hong Kong and is a household name, not only because of his skills, but also his pleasant attitude as a gentleman and a player. We know little about the alleged doping case and, hopefully, it can be cleared sooner and not later."
According to the rules, if a player has tested positive for a banned substance in the A sample, he would not be allowed to take part in any tournament until the result of the B sample is also released. In compliance with the World Badminton Federation and the World Anti Doping Agency regulations, the name of the athlete involved will also not be disclosed at this stage.
Reports from Malaysia confirmed that one of its top shuttlers had failed a doping test at the world championships in Copenhagen in August and is waiting for the results of the B sample to be completed either on November 4 or 5. It is also reported the banned substance involved is dexamethasone, which belongs to a class of corticosteroids.
Fans were expecting Lee to meet his long-time rival Lin Dan of China in Hong Kong. The two top players last met in the semi-finals of the Asian Games in Incheon in late September when "Super Dan" prevailed in three games.
The two-time Olympic champion, Lin Dan, must gain sufficient ranking points as he prepares for his fourth Olympic campaign in 2016. Lee has also set his sights on the Rio Games, but the alleged doping case has now put a big question mark on his future.
Headliners on the women's list are world number one Li Xuerui of China and compatriots Wang Shixian and Wang Yihan, who is the defending champion.
