News

WADA decides against hypoxic chamber ban

Russell Langley - 21/09/2006

WADA President Richard Pound
Photo/Getty Images

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has confirmed that hypoxic chambers will not be included on the 2007 List of Prohibited Substances and Methods. The new List, which will be issued on 1 October and introduced on 1 January 2007, contains only minor amendments to the one currently in place.

A widespread consultation process on the inclusion of hypoxic chambers was conducted by WADA over the summer. Submissions included a detailed response from UK Sport, which having itself consulted widely with experts in the UK, stated its opposition to their inclusion on the list. At the time, Allison Holloway, UK Sport’s Education and Information Manager, said: "WADA put forward an interesting argument but we feel the banning of hypoxic chambers begins to blur the fair and enforceable line where we can determine whether or not a doping offence has been committed.”

“On a more practical level, there is currently no realistic solution for the regulatory control of hypoxic chambers so there would be no way of monitoring its use or misuse if it was added to the List at this stage.”

In announcing its decision, WADA’s President Richard Pound said: "We are pleased with the progress of the discussion surrounding artificially induced hypoxic conditions. In response to our stakeholders who requested that there be full consideration of hypoxic conditions in the context of the Prohibited List, WADA performed a scientific and ethical review of the matter, and engaged in a thorough consultation with experts and stakeholders.

“While we do not deem this method appropriate for inclusion on the List at this time, we still wish to express the concern that, in addition to the results varying individually from case to case, use of this method may pose health risks if not properly implemented and under medical supervision."

John Scott, UK Sport’s Director of Drug-Free Sport, welcomed the announcement. “We feel this is a sensible decision and are pleased that WADA took on board the comments from UK Sport and other national anti-doping organisations who opposed the move.”