The Cambodian SEA Games Organising Committee (CAMSOC) has decided to remove bodybuilding from the 2023 Southeast Asian Games list, after two of its players were found to have used banned substances.
CAMSOC’s decision to remove bodybuilding was announced during a media conference on Tuesday at the CBFF headquarters in Phnom Penh.
Bodybuilding was among the 38 disciplines that were earlier chosen for the next SEA Games, which Cambodia is hosting.
Tek Bunvy, president of the Cambodian Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (CBFF), confirmed that two of his players, Phann Narith and Seang Meng Sang, were found to have used steroids during the 3rd National Games.
Steroids are performance-enhancing drugs, whose immediate effect comes in the form of increased muscle mass, among others. But their use also comes with many risks, including infertility.
The 3rd National Games, the biggest local sports event, was held from November 21 to 30, 2022 in Phnom Penh.
“They admitted to their mistake and apologised to us. But the damage has already been done,” he pointed out. “I am very sorry that this happened. Now, our other players would not be able to take part in the SEA Games.”
Bunvy said the matter has a taken a toll on the Federation.
“Our players have trained very hard, both for local and international competitions. We are very much discouraged,” he stressed.
Bunvy said they have asked CAMSOC to help the bodybuilding team compete in future SEA Games.
“We want the other players who did not commit the same offence to have the opportunity to show off their talents and compete with other bodybuilders in the region,” he said.
Cambodia sent four bodybuilders to the 2021 SEA Games in Vietnam. But they did not win any medals there, local media reported.