Six Vietnamese athletes test positive for doping at recent SEA Games 31

Thursday, 11:25, 15/09/2022

VOV.VN - Initial test samples from six Vietnamese athletes who participated in the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31) in May came back positive for doping, according to Tien Phong (Vanguard) newspaper citing sources from the Medical and Anti-Doping Sub-committee of SEA Games 31.

Among them are two track-and-field athletes who won a gold medal and a silver medal at the region’s largest sporting event, Tien Phong reported on September 14.

The Vietnam Sports and Physical Training Administration said it is awaiting further test results from the Medical and Anti-Doping Sub-committee of SEA Games 31, as well as conclusions from the World Anti-Doping Agency.

According to sources, in the event additional tests prove positive, the athletes’ medals will be stripped and the athletes will subsequently face a long-term ban.

The identity of the athletes has yet to be disclosed and they have been asked to write a report.

Many athletes of other sports delegations also tested positive for banned substances. In late August, Singapore’s Ministry of Defense came to the conclusion that swimmers Joseph Schooling and Amanda Lim used drugs while training and competing at SEA Games 31. However, their medals have not been stripped due to a lack of results.

Vietnam hosted SEA Games 31 from May 12 to 23, featuring 40 sports with the participation of more than 10,000 athletes, officials, and referees from throughout Southeast Asia. The hosts topped the medal tally with 205 gold, 125 silver, and 106 bronze medals.

Source: VOV