The policy-making arm of the World Antidoping Agency (WADA), the Executive Committee, approved the 2008 'List of Prohibited Substances and Methods' on Sunday, offering up several additions to the list. New for 2008 will be "new classes of substances such as selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs), a family of nonsteroidal molecules that has the same effect as anabolic steroids, and agents modifying myostatin functions including but not limited to myostatin inhibitors" the organisation announced.
The committee also approved the prohibition of intravenous infusions unless they are used to treat an acute medical condition. The new list will be published online by October 1, 2007, and will go into effect on January 1, 2008.
The Executive Committee was also consulted on the third working draft revision of the World Anti-Doping Code - the framework of the world-wide antidoping battle, the final draft of which will be published on October 15, 2007 and approved at the organisation's world conference in November. WADA President Richard Pound said, "We have been engaged in a thorough and extensive process that will result in the strengthening of the global fight against doping in sport by making enhancements and practical improvements to the Code."
The organisation put forth its 2008 annual budget, which increased by just four percent to US $26.5 million, for approval by WADA's Foundation Board at its November meeting. WADA will dedicate US $5.6 million to scientific research in 2007, funding 33 proposals to advance research in such areas as the detection of blood manipulations, genomic techniques to detect gene manipulation, the detection of hormones (e.g. insulin), as well as increase knowledge on known doping substances.
