OWN CORRESPONDENT, Kuala Lumpur | Monday 9.30PM.
ATHLETES who test positive for cannabis may be tipped off in advance by Commonwealth Games organisers to give them time to flee Malaysia.
Kuala Lumpur has some of the toughest drug laws in the world, punishable by the death. Dr Geoffrey Haigh, the Games’ honorary medical chief, said on Monday that there were ways around the problem that would ensure the drug testing of 650 athletes could continue but not at serious risk to the competitors.
“It is a criminal offence in Malaysia to traffic in drugs, the death penalty involved is not subtle … but if athletes are using it, it is none of the Malaysians’ business what we find in a urine test,” he said, adding that athletes would probably leave the country if told they had tested positive.
Games organisers might also refuse to disclose the drug involved and simply announce the punishment. “With steroids it doesn’t matter. It is cannabis we have to be careful about it. It is the only one that is affected,” said Haigh.
Australian team doctor Brian Sando said that the possession and smoking of cannabis was not as serious as trafficking. “Cannabis is a prohibited drug here … if an aquatics competitor or a gymnast returned a positive for that, the authorities here may want to take legal action,” he said. “Of course, you can argue because the substance stays in the body for some time, the athlete may say they used the agent prior to arrival in Malaysia, which might suffice as a defence. I think the main offence is when you are caught with the drug on you as distinct from inside your system,” he added.
The drug testing centre at Malaysia’s University Sains is International Olympic Committee approved. Muhyiddin Yassin, Malaysian youth and sports minister, said staff at the centre have been given guidelines on procedures and protocol for tests from the Commonwealth Games Medical and Doping Committee and foreign experts.
“The test results can be defended in court should they be challenged as they meet the procedures and standards specified,” he added.
The centre is expected to test between 600 and 650 samples over 10 days.