FAI Hang Gliding and Paragliding Commission (CIVL)
Anti-Doping
Updated October 7, 2023
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) published the 2024 List of Prohibited Substances and Methods (List), which was approved by WADA’s Executive Committee (ExCo) during its meeting on 22 September 2023 and enters into force on 01 January 2024.
They also published:
- the 2024 Summary of Major Modifications and Explanatory Notes as compared to the 2023 List; and
- the 2024 Monitoring Program, which includes substances that are not on the List, but that WADA wishes to monitor in order to detect potential patterns of misuse in sport.
The List is one of the eight International Standards that are mandatory for all Signatories (including FAI) of the World Anti-Doping Code(Code). It designates what substances and methods are prohibited both in- and out-of-competition and which substances are banned in particular sports.
Major modifications for 2024
All Major Modifications for 2024 are outlined in the 2024 Summary of Major Modifications and Explanatory Notes, including the following particular information regarding tramadol:
- On 23 September 2022, the ExCo endorsed the recommendation by WADA’s List Expert Advisory Group to prohibit the narcotic tramadol in competition, effective 1 January 2024. The delay in implementation was to provide an additional year to allow enough time for stakeholders to learn and adapt to this change.
- 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, as referenced in the Explanatory Note, have also confirmed the potential for tramadol to enhance sports performance.
If you have any questions about the FAI Anti-Doping Programme, please feel free to contact me directly or visit our dedicated website: https://www.fai.org/anti-doping.