‘WHEREABOUTS’ SANCTION FOR KOREANS

Kuala Lumpur, Jan 28, 2014: Korean badminton players, Kim Ki Jung and Lee Yong Dae, have each received a one-year sanction for violating the requirements relating to filing whereabouts information and resulting missed tests under the BWF Anti-Doping Regulations (Section 2.4).

Their period of ineligibility is from 23 January 2014 to midnight on 23 January 2015, during which time the players cannot participate in any capacity in a competition or activity as defined under Section 10.10.1 of the BWF Anti-Doping Regulations – Status during Ineligibility.

As part of Badminton World Federation’s (BWF) Registered Testing Pool of International Level badminton athletes, Kim and Lee were required to provide whereabouts information for the BWF to conduct out-of-competition testing. In 2013, both athletes accumulated three (3) whereabouts failures in connection with this administrative process. The Koreans appeared before a three-member BWF Doping Hearing Panel on Monday 13 January, 2014, to answer these charges.

The panel concluded there were extenuating circumstances to only sanction the players for one (1) year of ineligibility (as opposed to the maximum two years) due to the Badminton Korea Association’s failure, on behalf of the players, to make diligent efforts to keep the BWF informed about the players’ whereabouts. Due to such lack of diligent efforts, the panel has recommended that the BWF should fine Badminton Korea Association (BWF Anti-Doping Regulation 12.1 and 12.2.3). Given this recommendation, the BWF has initiated a process to decide on any additional disciplinary sanction against the Badminton Korea Association.

Kim and Lee have the right to appeal (Clause 13.2.1 of BWF Anti-Doping Regulations) to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Switzerland, at latest midnight KL time on 17 February, 2014. —- BWF