Zero Tolerance Anti-Doping Newsletter
Volume 2, Issue 1 - January 2005

In This Issue

Why Zero Tolerance?

USA Track & Field CEO Craig A. Masback and USATF President Bill Roe developed the plan in concert with the USATF Board of Directors in October 2003 by combining existing programs and USATF priorities with ambitious new initiatives. "Zero Tolerance" focuses on three goals: increasing efforts to catch and punish cheaters; expanding educational efforts and focusing the message on the theme that cheating is wrong and cheaters will be caught; and taking a more visible role on these issues.

Significant Changes to WADA List for 2005

As you may know, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) recently announced significant changes for the 2005 List of Prohibited Substances and Prohibited Methods of Doping.

Below you will find a summary of these significant changes as well as the link to the WADA website. USATF strongly recommends that you review the new rules and policies for 2005, as they went into effect January 1, 2005.

Remember that a substance does not have to be listed on the WADA list for it to be banned as WADA, USADA, USOC, IAAF, and USATF all recognize 'related substances' as banned as well.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT INFORMATION FOR 2005

S1. Anabolic Agents
a. Nine substances have been added to the list of examples.
b. For endogenous steroids, the T/E ratio, which prompts an investigation, has been changed from 6:1 to 4:1. (Please note that a doping case can be put forward if laboratory evidence supports the case even at T/E ratios less than 4:1.)

S2. Hormones and Related Substances
a. The following substances are prohibited in men and women: erythropoietin (EPO), human growth hormone (hGH), insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), mechano growth factor (MGFs), gonadotrophins (LH, hCG), insulin and corticotrophins.

S3. Beta-2 agonists (Asthma medications)
a. All beta-2 agonists are now prohibited in- and out-of-competition. Please note that this means that athletes who use beta-2 agonists for asthma and are tested at either an event or out-of-competition test will be screened for these substances and therefore must have an approved ATUE on file with USADA and the IAAF.
b. Salbutamol (albuterol, levalbuterol), salmeterol, terbutaline, and formoterol are permitted by inhalation only and only with a completed Abbreviated Therapeutic Use Exemption (ATUE).
c. A salbutamol (albuterol) concentration greater than 1,000 ng/mL is a doping violation (in- or out-of-competition and with or without an Abbreviated TUE) unless the athlete can prove the concentration is due to therapeutic use by inhalation.

S4. Agents with Anti-Estrogenic Activity
a. Substances that were previously prohibited in men are NOW prohibited in both men and women. A partial list of examples is provided for each category. New examples added to this category include anastrozole, letrozole, aminogluthetimide, formestane, testolactone, raloxifene, toermifene, fulvestrant.

S5. Diuretics and other Masking Agents
a. Finasteride (Propecia, Proscar) and other 5-alpha reductase inhibitors have been added as prohibited substances.
b. The contraceptive Yasmin is prohibited as a birth control methodology due to the presence of the diuretic drospirenone (which is a banned substance).
c. A TUE is not valid if an athlete's urine contains a diuretic in association with threshold or sub-threshold levels of a Prohibited Substance.

S6. Stimulants
a. Stimulant rules are unchanged and all are prohibited in-competition.

S7. Narcotics
a. Fentanyl and its derivatives have been added to the Prohibited List.
b. Eleven narcotics are specifically prohibited in-competition.
c. Local anesthetics are permitted unless specifically listed.

S8. Cannabinoids
a. Prohibited in-competition in all sports.

S9. Glucocorticosteroids
b. Rules apply only in-competition. Glucocorticosteroids are not tested for out-of-competition.
c. Systemic administration is prohibited (intramuscular, intravenous, oral, and rectal administration).
d. Local injection, intra-articular injection, inhalation, iontophoresis, eye drops, ear drops, and nasal sprays etc. require the submission of an acceptable Abbreviated TUE.
e. Dermal (topical on skin) applications are allowed and do not require an Abbreviated TUE.

S10. Miscellaneous Comments
a. Insulin is prohibited as a Peptide Hormone - athletes must file a standard TUE.
b. Vicks inhaler is still prohibited due to L-methamphetamine.
c. The substances included in the 2005 Monitoring List (bupropion, caffeine, phenylephrine, phenylpropanolamine, pipradrol, pseudoephedrine, synephrine and the morphine/codeine ratio) are not considered prohibited substances.

Questions should be directed to the USADA Drug Reference Line at 1-800-233-0393 or online at www.usantidoping.org/dro/. For the 2005 Prohibited List of Substances and Methods (PDF) visit the WADA website.

Latest News

USADA Makes Drug Reference Information Available Online

Athletes can now get drug reference information from the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency Drug Reference Online (DRO) 24-hours a day, 7-days a week at www.usantidoping.org/dro/. In October 2004, USADA launched its DRO to serve as a supplement for athletes who have questions about medications on weekends or after USADA office hours.

The DRO provides easily accessible and accurate information on whether specific U.S. pharmaceutical products are permitted for use by athletes. Some over-the-counter medicinal products are included in the database.

The DRO provides the status of the pharmaceutical from the WADA 2004 Prohibited List and applies ONLY to the formulations used in the United States. A DRO search will classify a drug or a formulation (combination of medications) based on the strictest status of any one component.

2005 Wallet Cards are now available

USADA recently posted the 2005 USADA/WADA Prohibited Substances and Prohibited Methods Wallet Card online for athletes, coaches and trainers to download and print for reference. The Wallet Cards will also be available at various Visa Championship Series Events throughout the indoor and outdoor season.

Visit the USADA website for the updated Wallet Cards (PDF).

Please note that the list online is not complete and is subject to change. USATF recommends that athletes call the USADA Drug Reference line with questions about medications not listed on the Wallet Card at 1-800-233-0393.

Changes to USADA Protocol for Olympic Movement Testing

USADA recently made significant changes to its publication USADA Protocol for Olympic Movement Testing - specifically to Annex E - regarding the American Arbitration Association Supplementary Procedures for Arbitration of Olympic Sport Doping Disputes.

USATF strongly recommends that all athletes and athlete support personnel review the newly published protocol (PDF) by visiting the USADA website.

Upcoming U.S. Events

Feb. 4 Millrose Games, New York, NY
Feb. 12 Powered by Tyson Invitational, Fayetteville, AR
Feb. 12-13 USA Cross Country Championships, Vancouver, WA
Feb. 25-27 USA Indoor Track & Field Championships, Boston, MA
Mar. 5-6 USA Indoor Combined Events Championships, Chapel, Hill, NC
Mar. 19-20 IAAF World Cross Country Championships, Saint Galmier, France

Important Numbers

  • USADA Drug Reference Line - 800-233-0393 (toll free)
  • USATF Whistleblower Hotline - 866-809-8104 (toll free)
  • USATF Anti-Doping Liaison (Melissa Beasley) - 317-261-0478 x335

Links to other Anti-Doping Websites