Ozempic Use in Sports: A Growing Concern for Anti-Doping Agencies
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The increasing prevalence of weight-loss medications like Ozempic has sparked debate about potential performance enhancement in competitive athletics. Reports suggest athletes might potentially be turning to these drugs not solely for weight management, but to gain an edge in their respective disciplines.
WADA Monitoring and the Rise of Semaglutide
Professor Olivier Rabin, head of science at the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada), acknowledged the possibility of athletes experimenting with semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic. “I’m sure some would have tried it to lose a few kilograms, no question,” Rabin stated.
Semaglutide was added to Wada’s monitoring list in 2024. Substances are flagged for potential prohibition if they meet at least two of three criteria: performance enhancement potential, health risks to athletes, or violation of the spirit of sport
.
currently, Wada recommends continued observation for at least another year, indicating inconclusive evidence regarding its impact on athletic performance. Though, investigations reveal reported use in sports emphasizing weight management and aesthetic judgment.
Sports at Risk: Weight-Sensitive and Aesthetic Disciplines
Experts beleive semaglutide use is most likely in sports requiring athletes to maintain specific weights, such as horse racing and boxing, and also those with judged aesthetic components, like gymnastics. The drug functions as an appetite suppressant and slows digestion, facilitating weight loss and control.
In Britain, jockeys and boxers are already prohibited from using dehydrating methods like saunas to meet weight limits. the Professional Jockeys Association reported in 2023 that riders were resorting to a range of inappropriate and more risky methods
following the sauna ban implemented during the Covid-19 pandemic, including sweat suits, fluid restriction, and induced vomiting.
Did You Know? Semaglutide’s impact on lean muscle mass is a key concern, possibly diminishing strength and power in athletes.
Semaglutide could simplify strict diet adherence and calorie deficits, while also aiding boxers during training camps to accelerate weight loss. Cycling has also emerged as a potential area of concern, notably given recent events.
The Ferrand-Prévot Case and Pressure to Slim Down
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot’s recent victory at the women’s Tour de France,where she became the first Frenchwoman to win the title in four decades,was followed by discussion of her rigorous planning. She reportedly lost four kilograms-nearly 10 percent of her body weight-through a strict diet and extended period without racing.
While there’s no evidence Ferrand-Prévot used semaglutide, rival Marlen Reusser suggested her tactics set a new standard
and put pressure
on other riders to reduce weight. Reusser recounted a team-mate asking about Ferrand-Prévot’s practise of measuring body fat before deciding whether to eat breakfast.
Potential Benefits and Drawbacks
Rabin explained that the weight-to-power ratio is important in some sports
and that GLP-1 antagonists like Ozempic offer a new ability to control weight. In the past, you needed to undergo a very strict intake of calories. Now people can have a normal diet and still be able to lose a rather significant amount of weight, so that is of concern to our experts
.
| Drug | Active Ingredient | WADA Status | Potential Effects |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ozempic | Semaglutide | Monitoring List (2024-Present) | Appetite suppression, slowed digestion, weight loss |
| Ostarine | Ostarine | Banned as 2008 | Muscle growth, potential for combination with semaglutide to mitigate muscle loss |
Research indicates semaglutide-induced weight loss can reduce lean muscle mass by approximately 10 percent, potentially hindering athletes reliant on strength and power. However, studies suggest combining semaglutide with the anabolic agent Ostarine could reduce lean muscle loss to 71 percent.
Pro Tip: Understanding the interplay between weight loss drugs and muscle mass is crucial for assessing their potential impact on athletic performance.
Health Concerns and Aesthetic Sports
The widespread use of weight-loss drugs raises health concerns, particularly in aesthetic-based sports like gymnastics, figure skating, and synchronized swimming, where athletes historically face pressure to maintain extremely low body weights. These sports have a long-standing history of eating disorders.
Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S), a condition resulting from insufficient calorie intake to meet training demands, can disrupt reproductive systems, bone health, metabolism, and mental wellbeing.
Wada tracks semaglutide use through drug testing, looking for patterns indicative of abuse-such as widespread use within teams or in specific countries. Rabin noted that excessive
use beyond therapeutic levels is a key indicator.
Wada has delayed a final decision on semaglutide until 2026, suggesting further inquiry is needed. Rabin stated, Two years [of monitoring] was considered too short.
Evergreen Context: The Evolution of Performance Enhancement
the pursuit of performance enhancement in sports is a long-standing phenomenon. Throughout history, athletes have sought various methods-from dietary adjustments to pharmacological interventions-to gain a competitive advantage. The current debate surrounding Ozempic and semaglutide is simply the latest chapter in this ongoing story. The ethical and health implications of these practices remain central to the discussion, as does the challenge of maintaining fair play in competitive athletics.
Frequently Asked Questions about Ozempic and Sports
- What is semaglutide? Semaglutide is the active ingredient in drugs like Ozempic, used to treat type 2 diabetes and promote weight loss.
- Why is Wada monitoring semaglutide? Wada is monitoring semaglutide due to its potential to enhance performance, pose health risks, and violate the spirit of sport.
- In which sports is semaglutide use most concerning? Sports requiring specific weight classes (boxing, horse racing) and those emphasizing aesthetics (gymnastics, figure skating) are considered high-risk.
- What are the potential side effects of semaglutide for athletes? Potential side effects include reduced lean muscle mass, nausea, and bloating, which can hinder performance.
- Could semaglutide be combined with other banned substances? Research suggests semaglutide might potentially be combined with anabolic agents like Ostarine to mitigate muscle loss.
Do you think stricter regulations are needed to address the potential misuse of weight-loss drugs in sports? What role should athletes, coaches, and governing bodies play in ensuring fair play?
We hope this article provided valuable insight into the complex issue of Ozempic and its potential impact on the world of sports. Please share this article with your network, leave a comment below with your thoughts, and consider subscribing to World Today News for more in-depth coverage of important global issues.
