Lee Chong Wei Reveals Doping Controversy and Cancer Battle
Malaysian badminton legend Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei has opened up about the biggest challenges of his career. He spoke about the 2014 doping controversy, his return to world No. 1 and his battle with early-stage nose cancer. He shared these experiences at the Beyond Greatness live talk at Idea Live Arena on Saturday.
The 2014 Doping Controversy
In 2014, Lee Chong Wei faced a doping controversy after testing positive for dexamethasone. He said his doctor had given him a painkilling injection containing the substance. However, the doctor did not properly document the medication or declare it to the relevant authorities.
“If the doctor had properly documented it and informed us, allowing us to declare it to the Badminton World Federation (BWF), it would not have led to any problems,” said Chong Wei.
A hearing in Amsterdam found that he had not deliberately taken the substance to improve his performance. However, he still received an eight-month suspension. The decision damaged his reputation and left him facing accusations of cheating.
“That’s why I want to set the record straight that I am not a cheat!”
Despite the setback, he kept training throughout the difficult period. After his suspension ended, he competed in smaller tournaments to rebuild his world ranking. His hard work paid off when he returned to world No. 1 in 2016.
Overcoming a Serious Health Challenge
In 2018, doctors diagnosed the Malaysian badminton star with early-stage nose cancer. He travelled to Taiwan for treatment and underwent more than 30 rounds of radiation therapy. It was a difficult experience that tested his strength and patience.
He admitted that he was not ready to share his illness with the public. Even after his recovery, he rarely spoke about his cancer journey.
“It’s not that I didn’t want to share, but I didn’t feel ready. Even now, I have rarely shared about my time when I was battling illness,” he said.
His family and friends played an important role during treatment. They travelled from Malaysia to Taiwan to support him through the difficult experience.
“It was difficult to endure, but I’m truly grateful for my friends and family who flew from Malaysia to Taiwan to visit me,” he said.
He now hopes his experience will encourage others who face serious illnesses. He believes that staying strong and continuing treatment are important parts of the journey.
“When illness comes, we don’t have a choice. We have to go for treatment; it’s just a matter of how to persevere through it all,” he said.
Retirement and His Continued Role in Malaysian Badminton
After recovering from cancer, Lee Chong Wei returned to the badminton court. However, his doctors advised him to avoid high-intensity training. He announced his retirement in June 2019.
During his remarkable career, he won three Olympic silver medals. His achievements made him one of Malaysia’s most celebrated badminton players and a legend in international badminton.
Although he has retired from professional competition, he continues to support the sport. He serves voluntarily as chairman of the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) performance committee.
His journey shows how determination helped him overcome career setbacks and a serious illness. From the 2014 doping controversy to his return to world No. 1, he remains an important figure in Malaysian badminton.
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