‘Don’t get caught off guard’, AIU warns as list of prohibited substances and methods comes into force January 1, 2025

The Athletics Integrity Unit, AIU, has warned athletes they need to get acquainted with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) prohibited list which outlines and defines substances and methods banned in-competition, as well as those banned at all times.

The WADA list of prohibited substances and methods comes into force on January 1, 2025, and the AIU, the body founded by World Athletics in 2017 to combat doping and address other forms of ethical misconduct in the sport of athletics, has alerted all athletes, including Nigerian athletes, of the need to know this prohibited list of substances and methods.

The AIU says athletes have the responsibility to consult with their doctors to understand what is prohibited and what is not.

‘Remember that you are solely responsible for any substances that are in your body, so make sure that you acquaint yourself with the new list well before any changes take place,’ AIU wrote on its website.
The AIU says WADA’s prohibited list is divided into substances and methods.

While some substances and methods are prohibited at all times, some others are prohibited only in-competition.

Athletes cannot take or use prohibited methods banned in-competition between period commencing at 11:59 p.m. on the day before a Competition in which the athlete is scheduled to participate through to the end of such competition and the sample collection process related to such Competition.

Those substances banned at all times would include (but are not limited to): hormones, anabolics, EPO, beta-2 agonists, masking agents and diuretics.

Those substances prohibited only in-competition would include but not be limited to: stimulants, marijuana, narcotics and glucocorticosteroids. Also banned at all times: methods such as blood transfusion or manipulation, or intravenous injections in some situations.

For example, smoking marijuana is only prohibited in-competition which means those addicted to it should desist from smoking it between 11.59pm from the day before the competition and until the competition, including after doping control is over.