08 Oct, 2025 Today, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) publishes the 2026 List of Prohibited Substances and Methods (List), which was approved by WADA’s Executive Committee (ExCo) during its meeting on 11 September 2025 and enters into force on 1 January 2026. We also publish: the 2026 Summary of Major Modifications and Explanatory Notes as compared to the 2025 List; and the 2026 Monitoring Program, which includes substances that are not on the List, but that WADA wishes to monitor in order to detect potential patterns of misuse in sport. The List is one of the eight International Standards that are mandatory for all Signatories of the World Anti-Doping Code (Code). It designates which substances and methods are prohibited both in- and out-of-competition and which substances are banned in particular sports. WADA Director General Olivier Niggli said: “We encourage athletes, their entourage and all stakeholders to acquaint themselves with the Summary of Major Modifications to avoid inadvertent use of substances and methods that are prohibited in sport for 2026. In particular, we kindly ask all Anti-Doping Organizations around the world to share the List and its related documents with athletes, their entourage, and other relevant stakeholders under their jurisdiction. Major modifications for 2026 As outlined in the 2026 Summary of Major Modifications and Explanatory Notes, the major modifications for 2026 include the following: Further examples or clarifications have been added to the following substance classes to help athletes and their entourage better identify prohibited substances: S1. Anabolic agents, S2. Peptide hormones, growth factors, related substances, and mimetics, S4. Hormone and metabolic modulators, and S6. Stimulants. The dosing intervals of salmeterol have been changed to avoid potential ergogenic effects, though the maximum daily delivered dose remains the same. More details have been given about the prohibition of withdrawal of blood and blood components. The non-diagnostic use of carbon monoxide (CO) has been added to the Prohibited Methods as a new section, M1.4. The use of carbon monoxide for diagnostic purposes, such as total hemoglobin mass measurements or the determination of pulmonary diffusion capacity, is not prohibited. Cell components (e.g., nuclei and organelles such as mitochondria and ribosomes) have been added to the existing prohibition of using normal or genetically modified cells. It has been clarified in the Glucocorticoids Washout Table that use of sustained-release formulations may result in detectable glucocorticoid levels past the washout period due to prolonged systemic absorption. Annual list review process WADA leads an annual revision process concerning the List, beginning with an initial meeting in January and concluding with the publication of the List by 1 October. This is an extensive consultation process that includes WADA’s List Expert Advisory Group gathering information including the latest scientific and medical research, trends, and intelligence gathered from law enforcement and pharmaceutical companies; circulating a draft List among stakeholders; and, taking their submissions into consideration to revise the draft, followed by review by the Agency’s Health, Medical and Research (HMR) Committee. The HMR Committee then makes its recommendations to WADA’s ExCo, which approves the List during its September meeting. For a substance or method to be added to the List, it must be determined that it meets at least two of the following three criteria: It has the potential to enhance or enhances sport performance It represents an actual or potential health risk to the athletes It violates the spirit of sport The List is released three months ahead of it taking effect so that athletes, their entourage, and other stakeholders can acquaint themselves with any modifications. Ultimately, athletes are responsible for prohibited substances found in their body and prohibited methods found to have been used. Members of an athlete’s entourage are also liable for Anti-Doping Rule Violations if determined to be complicit. Consequently, if there is any doubt as to the status of a substance or method, it is important that they contact their respective Anti-Doping Organizations (International Federation or National Anti-Doping Organization) for advice. The Therapeutic Use Exemption Program It should be noted that athletes who have a legitimate medical reason for using a prohibited substance or method that is on the List can apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) to determine whether they meet the criteria outlined in the International Standard for Therapeutic Use Exemptions (ISTUE). The TUE Program is a rigorous and necessary part of elite sport and has overwhelming acceptance from athletes, physicians, and anti-doping stakeholders. Educational resources  In addition to the documents linked above, WADA has provided, or will provide, educational resources as part of its Code Implementation Support Program (CISP), which can be accessed on the Agency’s Anti-Doping Education and Learning Platform (ADEL). These resources include: A CISP Checklist – Implementing Revised List (available now) Athlete and ASP Guide to the 2026 List (to be available mid-December) Languages and formats The 2026 Prohibited List, the 2026 Summary of Modifications and Explanatory Notes, and the 2026 Monitoring Program are available for download on WADA’s website in English and French, with Spanish to follow in the coming weeks. Stakeholders wishing to translate the List into other languages are kindly asked to signal their interest to code@wada-ama.org. WADA will then provide the necessary files and, once the translation is finalized, will make the translated List available on the Agency’s website. The List’s mobile-friendly digital edition will go live on 1 January 2026. Source: FIH.hockey

08 Oct, 2025 More than 400 athlete representatives gathered in Lausanne, Switzerland, for the 12th International Athletes’ Forum (IAF). Hosted by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Athletes’ Commission (AC), athlete representatives from 200 National Olympic Committees (NOCs), 54 International Federations (IFs), the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), the International Paralympic Committee, Organising Committees for the upcoming Olympic Games and Continental Associations of NOCs, and members of the Athletes’ Declaration Steering Committee attended to discuss some of the most pressing athlete-related topics. IOC President Thomas Bach and IOC President-elect Kirsty Coventry had welcomed the participants to the Olympic Capital before they joined for discussions on the final day of the forum. “We see a world which is becoming more and more divided within societies and among societies. Sport is about unifying, is about solidarity. And solidarity means more than respect: it means that you not only respect each other but help each other. We are standing against hate, divisions, growing inequalities. We are about solidarity, peace and helping each other. This is why we have to be even more determined, outspoken and also to be extremely consistent in what we are doing,” said Bach, an Olympic champion in fencing, in his last Forum appearance as IOC President. As at previous editions of the IAF, athletes were able to ask the President about the topics most important to them, with no subject off limits in a dedicated Q&A session. “We have to stand strong for these values and have to show through sport and in sport that it is possible to compete with each other. It needs to be done peacefully, in respect of the rules. You, the athletes, are the best ambassadors, the living examples. What you show on the field of play has more effect than any words. You saw that in Paris, where athletes from those countries were all there together even if their countries were at war.” In a very touching moment, the athletes’ community said goodbye to President Bach, who was a member of the first IOC Athletes’ Commission in 1981, with a highly emotional film including many athlete voices thanking him for his work. This was echoed by the room in a standing ovation. This Forum was particularly special as IOC President-elect Kirsty Coventry, a two-time Olympic champion in swimming and former IOC AC Chair, was also attending. She emphasised the role of athletes in the Olympic Movement and society: “We play an important role, whether it is on the global stage or at home in our community. As athletes, we are all ambassadors. We are all role models. (…) In order for us to continue to help inspire a younger generation, we need to ensure that we continue to make good decisions for our athletes, to ensure that we create an incredible platform which is the Olympic Games for all of our athletes to succeed, and to be able to leverage those Games for themselves and their communities and in their sports.” She called on the participants: “As athletes we need to focus on spreading the Olympic values of friendship, excellence and respect. Those three values connect all of us.” The Forum allowed athletes to engage in dialogue about the challenges they are facing, and to learn about the support the IOC is offering to strengthen their own athletes’ commissions and athletes individually. A statement issued by the IOC AC and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Athlete Council addressing the Enhanced Games, saying that they are “a betrayal of everything that we stand for”, was welcomed with a round of applause. “This Forum was a great inspiration for all of us. It is a hugely important engagement opportunity for the IOC Athletes’ Commission, and we want to thank all the 400 participants for taking the time and making their way to Lausanne. It is so important to meet them in person every two years and to hear directly from them what support they need,” said IOC AC Chair Emma Terho. “This year’s main takeaways have been the importance of athlete support – on an individual level, at the athlete commission level, and in providing resources that help athletes use their platforms to champion social causes that matter to them. The two-day event resulted in a number of important takeaways across various areas, such as athlete financial support programmes, safe sport, mental health and career transition. Topics discussed during the Forum During the two days of panel discussions, keynote speeches, and breakout sessions, the following topics were discussed: Direct support for athletes: Olympic Solidarity – From 2025-2028, Olympic Solidarity will invest USD 650 million in development programmes for NOCs and athletes, including Olympic scholarships for athletes. Following scholarships for 1,560 athletes ahead of Paris 2024, more than 400 athletes have received scholarships to help them qualify for Milano Cortina 2026. Support from Worldwide Olympic Partners (TOP) – The TOP programme continues to provide various support programmes for athletes, from direct financial support on the road to the Games to exciting opportunities after retirement. Athlete365 – Athlete365 membership has grown by 70,000 since the previous IAF in 2023, and now stands at more than 200,000 Olympians, Paralympians, elite athletes and entourage members. The Athlete365 app makes it easier than ever for athletes to access the support and offers available, including their Games-time images from the last three editions of the Olympic Games. Career transition – Support available to athletes includes Athlete365 Career+ workshops, Athlete365 Mentoring with experts from across the Olympic Movement, and the Business Accelerator for athlete entrepreneurs. Safe sport – The IOC interactive safeguarding directory allows athletes to easily find an IOC-certified safeguarding officer near them. A new pilot project is also setting up regional safe sport hubs in southern Africa and the Pacific islands, aimed at enhancing athlete protection at the local level. New tools and programmes to enhance athlete well-being and safeguard against violence and abuse in sport were announced at the Olympism365 Summit last week. Mental health – The Athlete365 Mind Zone

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