Lee Chong Wei
Malaysia's Lee Chong Wei sweats as he waits to return a serve against Vietnam during the men's singles quarter final badminton match at Gyeyang Gymnasium, at the 17th Asian Games in Incheon Sept. 27, 2014. Reuters/Olivia Harris

Malaysian badminton star Lee Chon Wei has reportedly failed a doping test and has been temporarily suspended until a hearing with the Badminton World Federation, officials reportedly said Saturday. Lee’s “B” sample has reportedly tested positive dexamethasone, a banned substance that can cast a shadow on the 32-year-old’s career.

Lee reportedly underwent a dope test during the World Championships in Copenhagen on Aug. 30. He travelled to Norway on Nov. 5 to witness the seal of his “B” sample being opened, The Straits Times reported. An official announcement will reportedly be made by the Badminton Association of Malaysia, or BAM, on Saturday. Lee will reportedly be banned for up to two years, but will attend a hearing scheduled to take place in the next two weeks.

Malaysia’s Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said that the World’s No. 1 badminton player did not use performance-enhancing drugs, New Straits Times Online reported.

Khairy had previously said that the drug was administered into his body in July to treat a thigh injury, Today Online reported.

“We are looking at another test right now. The athlete had taken an out-of-competition dope test on August 15 in Malaysia and it was conducted by WADA [the World Anti-Doping Agency] before he left to compete in the World Championships in Copenhagen,” Khairy told The Star, at the time.

Khairy also reportedly said that individual tests were also being conducted by the National Sports Association.

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