Asthma and Olympic rowers

The World Anti-Doping Code’s prohibited list states that:

“All beta2 agonists including their D- and L- isomers are prohibited. Their use requires a Therapeutic Use Exemption. As an exception, formoterol, salbutamol, salmeterol and terbutaline, when administered by inhalation require an Abbreviated Therapeutic Use Exemption.”

Thus any athlete intending to use a beta2 agonist(s) during the Olympic Games must complete the IOC’s online Abbreviated Therapeutic Use Exemption form. These applications will be assessed by the IOC Medical and Scientific Commission. This form is now available.

If the athlete has not received authorisation from the IOC Medical Commission to inhale a beta2 agonist and is tested and found to have any beta2 agonist in their urine at the Olympic Games, it will be considered a positive doping result.

Athletes having received an authorisation at past editions of the Olympic Games (Athens or Turin):

For athletes who received the IOC Medical Commission’s authorisation to inhale beta2 agonist(s) at the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad in Athens in 2004 or the XX Olympic Winter Games in Turin 2006, that authorisation will be valid for the XXIX Olympiad in Beijing in 2008. No additional tests are required. However, so that the IOC Medical Commission can clearly identify these athletes, the first part of the on-line application form must be completed and submitted.

For any question related to the on-line form, please contact the IOC Medical and Scientific Department, preferably by e-mail at beta2@olympic.org or by telephone on +41 21 621 6111.

For more information from the IOC Website:

1. IOC Consensus Statement on Asthma in Elite Athletes- January 2008

2. Beta2 adrenoceptor agonists and the Olympic Games in Beijing