Drugs in Sports

Every athlete must be aware of taking substances and medications that are not acceptable for use in sporting training or performance. 

It is better to be safe than sorry and there is a link on both the Western Australian Swimming Website and also the Australian Swimming Website that provides lists of banned medication as well as help lines and advise for parents and athletes.

There are three reasons why a substance or method can be banned.  If it meets two of the following criteria it will be placed on the prohibited list;

  1. Performance enhancing.
  2. Harmful to health.
  3. Against the spirit of the sport.

These drugs are banned for swimmers at all times;

  • Anabolic agents.
  • Peptide hormones.
  • Agents with anti-oestrogenic activity.
  • Masking agents.
  • Beta-2-agonists.
  • Ehancement of oxygen transfer.
  • Pharmological, chemical and physical manipulation.
  • Gene doping.

The following classes of drugs are generally banned during events;

  • Stimulants.
  • Narcotics.
  • Cannabinoids.
  • Beta-2-agonists.
  • Gluxoxorticosteroids.

It is the responsibility of the athlete, the parent and the coach to be aware and comply with anti-doping rules of swimming and to comply with drug testing procedures.  To reduce the risk;

  1. Consider Australian made and manufactured products.
  2. Use the ASDA Drugs in Sport Hotline 1800 020 506.
  3. Check Supplement Information on ASDA website as some manufacturers will guarantee their products.