A new controversy in the sports world has come up as WADA examines whether weight loss treatments marketed for diabetes and obesity could soon join the prohibited list.
According to sources, WADA has confirmed it is actively investigating GLP-1s such as Ozempic and Wegovy to determine if athletes are using these to gain an edge over their competitors. The agency’s findings could lead to a ban before the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
Dr. Olivier Rabin, WADA’s senior director of science and medicine, explained that the organization is monitoring usage patterns closely. “We want to see whether we detect patterns of abuse of this d**g or this class of subst ances in sport,” he said. “So we keep an eye on them because there’s been a change in paradigm in the way weight can be controlled because of those d**gs.”
The decision to ban requires meeting at least two of three criteria: performance enhancement, health risks, or violation of the spirit of sport. Rabin confirmed that enhanced performance alone could justify a prohibition.
“If they are shown to be gaining athletic advantage, that’s certainly one of the criteria on the list that would be fulfilled, you know, enhancement. But you need at least another criteria to be fulfilled, either the risk for the health or the violation of the spirit of sport.”
The timeline for a decision remains fluid but could come soon. When asked when WADA might conclude its review, Rabin noted, “It’s a good question. We need to collect sufficient data, and that could be, you know, end of 2026 or in the course of 2027.” Pressed on whether that meant before the Los Angeles Games, he replied, “Possibly before the Olympic Games in Los Angeles, yes.”
The medical implications of these in athletic settings are complex. Dr. Ian Beasley, who served as medical chief for England’s football team and Team GB Olympians, highlighted the challenge of detection and enforcement.
He stated: “If you wanted to che at, could you take it during a closed season and then reap the benefits during the season? And how would you be able to measure that? I think these are the questions that WADA are grappling with that make life very difficult.”
Endurance athletes appear most likely to see competitive benefits from these medications, though the advantages come with significant drawbacks. The treatment works by suppressing appetite, which can create energy deficiencies when athletes need maximum fuel for training and competition. Reduced food intake may also prevent muscles from absorbing adequate nutrients and other necessary medications.
Dr. Beasley suggested the temptation might prove irresistible for some. “When you’re trying to look for minimal gains and try to get up to the next step, you might try it,” he said.
Kate Seary from Kyniska Advocacy for Safe Sport warned that the availability of these medications could reinforce dangerous attitudes about body composition.
“In many ways a more invisible issue is GLP-1s being used to control the weight of athletes,” Seary said. “There are toxic environments where the idea that thin equals fast, thin equals powerful, or even thin equals beautiful in sport are still really present.”
The pressure to conform to these standards, combined with readily available weight loss treatments, creates conditions ripe for misuse. Seary advocated for a precautionary approach: “I think I would always go along the lines of banning it until we know the long-term consequences.”
Should a ban be implemented, WADA would likely maintain a system of therapeutic use exemptions for athletes with legitimate medical needs. Those requiring the treatment for diabetes management or clinically diagnosed obesity could potentially continue their treatment under medical supervision.
Dr. Rabin acknowledged the interest in WADA’s review: “There is an interest from all sides, from the performance enhancing aspects and health protection of the athletes with this class of subs tances [and] will they end up being on the [banned] list.”
