In the world of competitive sport, integrity is everything. 🏆 The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) updates every year the list of substances that are prohibited at all times – that is, both in competition and out of competition (in training or during breaks).
Here’s what every athlete needs to know to protect their career:
💉 1. Substances prohibited at all times (in & out of competition)
These categories of substances are strictly prohibited because they give an artificial advantage and can seriously harm health:
- Anabolic steroids 🏗️: (e.g. Testosterone, Nandrolone) – Used to increase strength and muscle mass. They are the most closely monitored substances.
- Hormones and growth factors 📈: (e.g. EPO – Erythropoietin) – These increase the number of red blood cells, giving “superhuman” endurance.
- Beta-2 agonists 🫁: Although used for asthma, most are prohibited unless inhaled in very small, strictly controlled doses.
- Hormone modulators 🧪: (e.g. Insulin, Tamoxifen) – Substances that alter the body’s natural hormonal balance.
- Diuretics and masking agents 💧: (e.g. Furosemide) – Prohibited because they can “wash out” traces of other doping agents from urine or help with forced weight loss.
🧬 2. Prohibited methods (manipulating performance)
It’s not only what you “swallow” that matters, but also the methods by which you alter your biology:
- Blood doping 🩸: Any form of transfusion or administration of red blood cells to increase oxygen delivery.
- Sample tampering 🧪: Any attempt to cheat a doping control (swapping urine, chemically altering the sample).
- Gene doping 🧬: Using gene-editing techniques to increase muscle performance or endurance.
🧐 3. What should you remember?
- Strict liability 👤: The athlete alone is responsible for any substance found in their body. “I didn’t know” is not an accepted excuse.
- Check everything 🔍: Any new medicine, even a simple supplement, must be checked on the ANAD (Romanian National Anti-Doping Agency) website or through the Global DRO platform.
- Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) 📑: If you have a real health problem requiring a substance on the list, you must apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption before starting treatment.
Download the summary of the 2026 changes here (in Romanian).
Final tip: Clean sport means respect for yourself and your opponents. Stay informed and train clean! 💪✨
