Reminder: WADA prohibited substances list changes on 1 January 2023

In a continued effort to keep sailing clean, World Sailing urges all stakeholders, including coaches, sailors, medical personnel, and anyone else subject to WADA rules to familiarise themselves with the changes for 2023.

• The Summary of Major Modifications and Explanatory Notes for 2023 is available to download here.
• The 2023 List of Prohibited Substances and Methods is available to download here.

While there are no major changes to the List this year, further examples of already-prohibited substances have been added under various categories. This includes Anabolic Agents, Hormone and Metabolic Modulators, Diuretics and Masking Agents, and Stimulants.

Urvasi Naidoo, World Sailing Director of Legal and Governance, said, “World Sailing is committed to ensuring our sport remains clean and that competition is fair for all. The new List clarifies prohibited substances, including those used in prescription and over-the-counter medication, and we would like to remind all stakeholders that it is their responsibility to ensure they know what substances are prohibited. Strict liability means that you are solely responsible for any banned substance you use, attempt to use, or which is found in your system, regardless of how it got there or whether there was any intention to cheat. In anti-doping, not knowing is not an excuse and that is why we are issuing this reminder.”

Please also be reminded that all international-level athletes – those racing at Olympic events, Youth and Para Sailing World Championships, The America’s Cup and The Ocean Race – require Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs) to be issued by World Sailing. Athletes who have a TUE issued from their National Anti-Doping Organisation (NADO) must forward a copy to World Sailing.

Sailing stakeholders (athletes, coaches, physios, medical personnel etc) should also be aware that Tramadol, sold under various brand names including Tramal, Tramedo, Ultram and Zydol, and already banned in-competition in cycling, will be banned in-competition for all sports 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 (Code). It designates what substances and methods are prohibited both in- and out-of-competition and which substances are banned in particular sports.

According to The Racing Rules of Sailing 2021-2024, Fundamental Rule 6, sailors must comply with the World Sailing Anti-Doping Code. The World Sailing Anti-Doping Code conforms with the WADA Anti-Doping Code.

More information about World Sailing’s commitment to ensuring the sport stays clean can be found on the World Sailing website.