KUALA LUMPUR: Former national weightlifter Hidayat Hamidon alleged yesterday that there is a mastermind behind the recent rise in drug abuse cases among weightlifters.
And Hidayat wants those running the sport to find out who is selling the banned substances to these athletes.
Hidayat, who won three gold medals in the 1998 Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games, claims that his son, Erry (a weightlifter) also knows about the abuses among athletes but does not know who is behind it.
"I am so disturbed with what is happening to the sport, and I am sure there is a supplier who is doing all the damage. If I find out who he/she is, I will surely call to enquire," said Hidayat.
"Please investigate who is the supplier. And the three back-up athletes who recently tested positive should also come forward to help in the probe," he said.
Last Wednesday, the Malaysian Weightlifting Federation (MWF) took a drastic step to nip drug abuse by announcing that they will not field their athletes for a year.
This came about after the sport became embroiled in a series of doping incidents of late.
The MWF want to send a strong signal to their world body and show that they are serious about stopping substance abuse.
Hidayat, however, does not agree with MWF’s decision to bar athletes for a year.
“Athletes should not be barred. However, coaches and team managers can stop those who they think are on dope.
“It is easy to identify an athlete who is on banned substances,” Hidayat added.
