KUALA LUMPUR — Traces of a banned substance were apparently “high enough” in Malaysian badminton star Lee Chong Wei’s urine sample, as investigations revealed the drug had been administered during the shuttler’s stem-cell surgery for a thigh injury on July 17, reported The Malay Mail.

Insiders say the dexamethasone injected into the world No 1 and two-time Olympic silver medallist — who maintains he has never cheated — was part of the surgical procedure usually carried out if the surgery under anaesthetic “took longer than usual” to avoid the patient from suffering from severe nausea and vomiting.

But a source close to the investigation revealed the National Sports Institute of Malaysia (NSI) was unaware that the drug was administered into Lee until recently.

Another source said it was peculiar that the drug had remained in Lee’s body for more than a month.

“What could have happened is that the team that conducted the surgery assumed the drug would be flushed out of the system before Lee competed at the World Championships,” said the source.

“Thus, they did not see the need of informing any party. But this should not have happened, as the NSI must know every single detail.”

When asked how much of the drug was in Lee’s “B” urine sample tested in Oslo last Wednesday, the source said: “It was high enough”.

“Previously, the threshold of traces of the drug was 30 nanograms, but the World Anti-Doping Agency changed the regulation 18 months ago. Now even a slight trace of the drug is considered positive. It remains unclear if those within the NSI were aware of such changes prior to Lee’s saga.”

Dexamethasone, a low-strength steroid with a lifespan of 36 to 54 hours, is not a performance-enhancing drug. It is usually prescribed in pills and cream to reduce inflammation and swelling.

Lee was tested during the World Championship semi-final in Copenhagen on Aug 30 where sample “A” of his urine tested positive.

Lee, who is regarded as a national hero in Malaysia, has been temporarily suspended by the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM).

“We were also informed by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) that this matter will be referred to the BWF doping hearing panel and now due process will take place,” said BAM deputy president Datuk Norza Zakaria.

The BAM is working with Malaysia’s Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin and has hired London-based lawyer Mike Morgan to assist them. THE MALAY MAIL