How a substance comes on the Prohibited Substances List

The three elements for a substance to be considered for inclusion are:

• Potential to enhance performance
• Potentially dangerous to the athlete\'s health
• Against the spirit of sport

Lets look at the different elements: Element 1: Potential to enhance performance There shall be medical or other scientific evidence, pharmacological effect or experience that the substance or method has the potential to enhance or enhances sport performance. A substance or method shall also be included on the Prohibited list if WADA determines there is medical or other scientific evidence, pharmacological effect or experience that the substance or method has the potential to mask the Use of other Prohibited Substances and Prohibited Methods. With the last paragraph WADA means that the prohibited substance could be a masking agent that is used to hide the use of another prohibited substance. Element 2: Potentially dangerous to the athlete\'s health A substance that is considered a potential danger to the athlete\'s health are also on the list. An example of such substance is EPO. This substance has an enormous therapeutic benefit in the treatment of anaemia related to kidney disease, its misuse can lead to serious health risks for athletes who use this substance simply to gain a competitive edge. It is well known that EPO, by thickening the blood, leads to an increased risk of several deadly diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, and cerebral or pulmonary embolism. The misuse of recombinant human EPO may also lead to autoimmune diseases with serious health consequences. Spirit of Sport With Spirit of Sport WADA means:

• Ethics, fair play and honesty.
• Health.
• Excellence in performance.
• Character and education.
• Fun and joy.
• Teamwork.
• Dedication and commitment.
• Respect for rules and laws.
• Respect for self and other participants.
• Courage.
• Community and solidarity.
(Source: WADA)