World Anti-Doping Agency's list of prohibited substances come into effect

The World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) list of banned drugs and techniques is now in effect, starting from January 1, 2023. The WADA Executive Committee approved the 2023 version in September of last year (2022). Tramadol, a pain reliever that would be prohibited in competition from next year, was one of the big decisions made. The delay was explained by the need “for mass communication and education of athletes, their entourage, and medical personnel.” Additionally, it is intended that this will give the scientific community time to modify procedural aspects, sporting organizations time to create teaching materials for athletes, and healthcare professionals time to address the safe use of tramadol for therapeutic purposes.

Since March 2019, tramadol has been listed on WADA’s monitoring program and prohibited by the International Cycling Union. Changes that take effect in 2023 include more examples of forbidden anabolic drugs, diuretics, and masking agents, as well as prohibited methods of manipulating blood and blood constituents on all occasions. The World Mini-Golf Federation and the World Under Water Federation, respectively, requested that beta blockers, which can lower heart rate, be banned from all subdisciplines of freediving, spearfishing, and target shooting.

Read more: IOC’s Doyen Richard Pound wants the strengthening of Anti-doping Regulations

Dermorphin and its analogs used in competition, gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs used at all times in girls under the age of 18, and hypoxen used to assess exploitation in sports are additions to the monitoring program. In-competition use of marijuana is still prohibited as a result of a review that was started in September 2021. To be included in WADA’s List, substances or methods must satisfy at least two of the mentioned criteria: having the potential to improve sporting performance, posing a health risk to athletes, and breaking the spirit of sport.

The World Anti-Doping Agency is a Canadian-based organization that was founded by the International Olympic Committee to support, oversee, and coordinate the war against drugs in sports. The agency’s primary tasks include scientific research, education, anti-doping capacity development, and oversight of the World Anti-Doping Code, the principles of which are implemented by the UNESCO International Convention Against Doping in Sports. A group effort spearheaded by the International Olympic Committee resulted in the establishment of the World Anti-Doping Agency (IOC). It was founded on November 10, 1999, in Lausanne, Switzerland, as a result of the “Declaration of Lausanne,” to promote, organize, and monitor the fight against doping in sports.

Read more: Athletics Integrity Unit suspends three Kenyan athletes for doping