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Weight-loss drugs avoid Wada banned list for 2027
Confirmed
In Short: Serena Williams and other athletes can continue using weight-loss medications in 2027, as the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) decides to keep them off its banned list.
Serena Williams, the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion, revealed last year that she had been using weight-loss medication while taking a break from professional tennis. This has sparked renewed interest in the use of such drugs among elite athletes, particularly in weight-sensitive sports like boxing and wrestling, as well as horse racing where jockeys must meet strict weight requirements.
Wada has initiated studies to examine the effects of these drugs under conditions that mimic high-level exercise. According to a recent Loughborough University study, 12% of sports medicine physicians are aware of athletes using GLP-1 drugs without medical need. These drugs, such as Ozempic and Mounjaro, have become increasingly common outside of elite sport.
The World Anti-Doping Agency confirmed its decision following a meeting of its executive committee. While athletes will not be banned from taking weight-loss drugs in 2027, the substances will remain on Wada's monitoring list. Professor Olivier Rabin, Wada's senior director for science and medicine, warned athletes to be 'very careful using those drugs and never without medical advice and supervision.
Wada has commissioned one study and is preparing another to assess the performance-enhancing potential of these drugs, known as GLP-1 receptor agonists. Semaglutide, often marketed under the Ozempic and Wegovy banners, was first placed on Wada's monitoring list in 2024. For a substance to move from the monitoring list to the prohibited list, it needs to meet two of three criteria: enhancing sport performance, posing a health risk, or violating the spirit of sport.
Wada will revisit its position at the next year's executive committee meeting. As of now, athletes will continue to be able to use weight-loss medication in 2027, although the agency will keep the drugs on its monitoring list. Wada has concerns over the ability of weight-loss drugs such as semaglutide and tirzepatide to aid performance, but it confirmed that the drugs would stay off its banned list for 2027, pending further data on their effects on athletes.
The use of weight-loss drugs in elite sport has become a topic of increasing discussion, with the most high-profile example being Serena Williams, who openly shared her experiences with weight-loss medication. As Wada continues to monitor the situation, the potential for these drugs to enhance performance and the risks they pose to athletes remain under scrutiny.
What's confirmed
- Serena Williams, the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion, revealed last year that she had been using weight-loss medication while taking a break from professional tennis. This has sparked renewed interest in the use of such drugs among elite athletes, particularly in weight-sensitive sports like boxing and wrestling, as well as horse racing where jockeys must meet strict weight requirements.
- Wada has initiated studies to examine the effects of these drugs under conditions that mimic high-level exercise. According to a recent Loughborough University study, 12% of sports medicine physicians are aware of athletes using GLP-1 drugs without medical need. These drugs, such as Ozempic and Mounjaro, have become increasingly common outside of elite sport.
- The World Anti-Doping Agency confirmed its decision following a meeting of its executive committee. While athletes will not be banned from taking weight-loss drugs in 2027, the substances will remain on Wada's monitoring list. Professor Olivier Rabin, Wada's senior director for science and medicine, warned athletes to be 'very careful using those drugs and never without medical advice and supervision.
- Wada has commissioned one study and is preparing another to assess the performance-enhancing potential of these drugs, known as GLP-1 receptor agonists. Semaglutide, often marketed under the Ozempic and Wegovy banners, was first placed on Wada's monitoring list in 2024. For a substance to move from the monitoring list to the prohibited list, it needs to meet two of three criteria: enhancing sport performance, posing a health risk, or violating the spirit of sport.
- Wada will revisit its position at the next year's executive committee meeting. As of now, athletes will continue to be able to use weight-loss medication in 2027, although the agency will keep the drugs on its monitoring list. Wada has concerns over the ability of weight-loss drugs such as semaglutide and tirzepatide to aid performance, but it confirmed that the drugs would stay off its banned list for 2027, pending further data on their effects on athletes.
- The use of weight-loss drugs in elite sport has become a topic of increasing discussion, with the most high-profile example being Serena Williams, who openly shared her experiences with weight-loss medication. As Wada continues to monitor the situation, the potential for these drugs to enhance performance and the risks they pose to athletes remain under scrutiny.
What's still developing
- Nothing material beyond the confirmed record.