Non-medical intravenous infusions are prohibited in sport

 

(Ottawa, Ontario – September 26, 2007) – The Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) would like to alert the sport community that intravenous infusions are prohibited in sport, except as a legitimate medical treatment. Some reports suggest that some non-medical athlete support personnel may be administering an intravenous infusion to athletes for recuperation during training. This practice is a prohibited method under the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List. 

The WADA Prohibited List, which applies through the Canadian Anti-Doping Program in Canada, contains the following entry: 

PROHIBITED METHODS

M2. CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL MANIPULATION

2. Intravenous infusions are prohibited, except as a legitimate medical treatment. 

Most athletes and support personnel are aware of the various categories of prohibited substances, but may be less familiar with prohibited methods. Confusion may arise around the infusion of a blend of vitamins and minerals known as a Myers Cocktail:  the ingredients might not be on the Prohibited List, but when administered intravenously for non-medical reasons, it is a prohibited method. 

The CCES emphasizes that both the athlete support personnel and athletes would be subject to an anti-doping rule violation for this practice. All high-level sport participants are responsible for knowing what is on the Prohibited List, and the CCES would like to make this issue clear:  Intravenous infusions should only be administered to athletes under the prescription and supervision of qualified medical personnel, and only for legitimate medical treatment. 

The CCES is an independent, national, non-profit organization. Our mission, to foster ethical sport for all Canadians, is carried out through research, promotion, education, detection and deterrence, as well as through programs and partnerships with other organizations.

 

For further information, please contact:
Rosemary Pitfield, Director of Communications,
(613) 521-3340 x3236
(613) 355-0889
[email protected]

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