The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) reminds stakeholders that the 2024 List of Prohibited Substances and Methods and the 2024 Monitoring Program come into force on 1 January 2024. The 2024 List was approved by WADA’s Executive Committee (ExCo) during its meeting on 22 September 2023 in Shanghai, China.Â
Therefore the updated List of Prohibited Substances have been published since late September here on FIB website but comes into force from 1 January 2024.
The list is one of the eight International Standards that are mandatory for all signatories of the World Anti-Doping Code. It designates what substances and methods are prohibited both in- and out-of-competition and which substances are banned in particular sports.
WADA decided to prohibit the narcotic Tramadol in competition, also from 1 January 2024. The delay in implementation from September 2023 was to ensure
stakeholders had enough time to learn and adapt to this change, especially as it pertained to the education of athletes, their entourage and medical personnel.
Tramadol has been on WADA’s Monitoring Program and data gathered through that program have indicated significant use in sports. Tramadol abuse, with its risk of physical dependence, opiate use disorder and overdoses, is of concern worldwide and has led to it being a controlled drug in many countries. Research studies funded by WADA, have also confirmed the potential for Tramadol to enhance sports performance.