SYDNEY: The World Anti-Doping Agency will add the painkiller tramadol to the list of prohibited substances for athletes competing from 2024 and maintained its ban on cannabis after an exam.
Decisions were made by WADAafter a meeting in Sydney on Friday and followed the recommendations of the body’s advisory group on the banned substances list.
“The abuse of tramadol, with its dose-dependent risks of physical dependence, opiate dependence and overdose in the general population, is of concern and has led to it being made a controlled drug in many countries,” said the AMA in a press release.
“WADA-funded research studies have also confirmed the potential of tramadol to improve exercise performance.”
Former England soccer goalkeeper Chris Kirkland said in July he was driven to suicide by his addiction and abuse of tramadol after using the opioid to treat back injuries.
WADA said the postponement of the introduction of the ban until 2024 was intended to allow communication of its implications to athletes, their entourages and medical personnel.
The cannabis ban emerged last year when American sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson was barred from the Tokyo Olympics 100 meters after receiving a month-long ban for using drugs following the death from his mother.
WADA has just reduced recreational drug bans from two years to one to three months for athletes who test positive out of competition.
After requests from some “stakeholders”, WADA agreed to review the cannabis ban but decided on Friday to maintain it because the use of the drug “violates the spirit of sport”.
The AMA said the level of the active cannabis agent in a sample needed to trigger a positive test in competition would require the user to be a “severely disabled athlete or frequent user”.
“WADA is aware of the diversity of opinions and perceptions related to this substance around the world, and even within certain countries,” said Director General Olivier Niggli.
“WADA plans to continue its research in this area in relation to (its) potential performance-enhancing effects, its impact on the health of athletes and also in relation to the perceptions of cannabis by athletes, experts and consumers. ‘other people in the world.’
Decisions were made by WADAafter a meeting in Sydney on Friday and followed the recommendations of the body’s advisory group on the banned substances list.
“The abuse of tramadol, with its dose-dependent risks of physical dependence, opiate dependence and overdose in the general population, is of concern and has led to it being made a controlled drug in many countries,” said the AMA in a press release.
“WADA-funded research studies have also confirmed the potential of tramadol to improve exercise performance.”
Former England soccer goalkeeper Chris Kirkland said in July he was driven to suicide by his addiction and abuse of tramadol after using the opioid to treat back injuries.
WADA said the postponement of the introduction of the ban until 2024 was intended to allow communication of its implications to athletes, their entourages and medical personnel.
The cannabis ban emerged last year when American sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson was barred from the Tokyo Olympics 100 meters after receiving a month-long ban for using drugs following the death from his mother.
WADA has just reduced recreational drug bans from two years to one to three months for athletes who test positive out of competition.
After requests from some “stakeholders”, WADA agreed to review the cannabis ban but decided on Friday to maintain it because the use of the drug “violates the spirit of sport”.
The AMA said the level of the active cannabis agent in a sample needed to trigger a positive test in competition would require the user to be a “severely disabled athlete or frequent user”.
“WADA is aware of the diversity of opinions and perceptions related to this substance around the world, and even within certain countries,” said Director General Olivier Niggli.
“WADA plans to continue its research in this area in relation to (its) potential performance-enhancing effects, its impact on the health of athletes and also in relation to the perceptions of cannabis by athletes, experts and consumers. ‘other people in the world.’
