2023 Prohibited List Released
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has published the: 2023 Prohibited List (List)
2023 Summary of Major Modifications and Explanatory Notes [PDF 147KB]
2023 Monitoring Program [PDF 96KB]
The new list comes into force on 1 January 2023.
What is the Prohibited List?
The List sets out what substances and methods are prohibited both in- and out-of-competition and which substances are banned in particular sports.
- The List applies to all athletes in all sports that are signatories to the World Anti-Doping Code.
How does WADA come up with the List?
For a substance or method to be added to the List, it must meet 2 of the following 3 criteria:
- It has the potential to enhance or enhances sport performance.
- It represents an actual or potential health risk to athletes.
- It violates the spirit of sport.
Every year, WADA reviews the existing List in consultation with a wide range of stakeholders, coordinated by WADA’s Prohibited List Expert Group. Collectively, experts review sources such as scientific and medical research, trends and intelligence gathered from law enforcement and pharmaceutical companies, to determine whether anything should be added, removed or modified.
- The List is released 3 months ahead of it taking effect so that athletes and their support personnel can familiarise themselves with any changes.
What if I can’t find my substance on the List, does that mean it is ok to take?
Sport Integrity Australia maintains a website called Global DRO where athletes can check whether a substance is prohibited or not. Athletes should use this website or the Sport Integrity app, before taking any medication or substance.
- Global DRO will automatically update the listings on 1 January to reflect changes to the Prohibited List for 2023.
- If there is any doubt as to the status of a substance or method, it is important that athletes or support personnel contact Sport Integrity Australia for advice.
Ultimately, athletes are responsible for any substance found in their body, regardless of how it got there, and athlete support personnel are also liable for anti-doping rule violations if determined to be complicit.
Key updates for 2023
S8. Cannabinoids
At its meeting of September 2021, the WADA List Expert Advisory Group (LiEAG) commissioned a scientific review of the status of cannabis which was conducted in 2022.
The main psychoactive component of cannabis, delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), is currently prohibited in-competition. After thorough assessment and discussion, the LiEAG concluded that THC continues to meet the criteria to be included on the Prohibited List.
Monitoring List
- Hypoxen was added to evaluate misuse in sport both in- and out-of-competition.
- Dermorphin, and compounds with similar structure, were added to detect patterns of use in sport in-competition.
The Monitoring List includes substances that are not on the Prohibited List, but WADA wishes to monitor to detect patterns of misuse in sport.
In addition to the Prohibited List updates, WADA will also implement a new module as part of the Biological Passport that will detect the use of human growth hormone (HGH), along with the 2 existing modules that can pick up blood or steroid doping.
An update on changes to the List will be included in Sport Integrity Australia’s 2023 Annual Update course for athletes and support personnel.
Coming in 2024
S7. Narcotics
Tramadol, sold under various brand names including Tramal, Tramedo and Zydol, is a prescription medicine used for short-term pain relief. Tramadol is already banned in-competition in cycling, and in 2024 it will be banned in-competition for all athletes.
The ban was delayed until 2024 to give time to anti-doping organisations and sports to educate athletes about the change, as well as to give time for excretion studies to be conducted to inform any future violations.
